#i know nothing about horse shows so uh

[blastoqueen]

Sunrise.

Chapter 5

Rating: Teen and Up

Relationships: Noa x Mae (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)

Content warnings: None

Comments: English is not my first language. I recommend you to watch the deleted scene where Noa and Mae talk about dreams and the telescope, it's not too important but it gives a tiny little bit of context for a short paragraph in the story. Enjoy!

Anaya woke up in the morning with more energy than usual and went to the main tower to look for his best friend, hoping they could do some climbing later, maybe he could convince Noa to go beyond the valley and explore a little more the ancient Echoes civilizations. However, when he arrived at Noa´s room, he found nothing but his empty litter and Dar, who was just waking up.

“Dar!” Anaya said, feeling a little invasive “Good morning. Noa?”

The female ape yawned deeply and scratch her belly.

“Dar?”

“Oh, Anaya, I don´t know” she said uninterested, yet calm; getting up to start her day.

“You… not worried?”

“Why would I? Noa… old enough. Not a baby. Probably… out”

Anaya left the tower, feeling a little worried. Ever since the kidnapping, he started to feel uneasy, like he should be alert and ready to fight. When he couldn’t find his friends, he felt this tight in his stomach.

“It´s called anxiety” Noa explain when they were settling their home again. Anaya was brave enough to express his feelings to his leader, hoping he could give him a peace of mind “Raka… told me so”

Soon enough, that word had spread like a quick virus among the apes. Everyone was using it. Noa wondered if they were truly anxious from what happened, or if they were just interested in using a new word.

Walking through the village, Anaya found his best friend sleeping next to the horses, with a blanket over his head, covering him from the sun.

“Noa! What are you… doing?”

The leader woke up and rapidly sat. He looked around him and spotted Anaya looking down on him like he was crazy. Maybe he was.

“What?”

“Why are you here?”

“Oh, not reason” Noa answered, feeling shy and oddly embarrassed. His friend gave him a look “Okey, I was out… all night. When I came back… to tired to go up. Sleep here”

Anaya looked confused.

“Where?”

“Uh… to the lighting dancers’ field”

“What?!” Anaya screamed with excitement, Noa hushed him with his hand and took him to a more private place, just a few meters away from the village.

“Who is… the lucky one?” the eldest asked.

“What?”

“You know”

“I do not”

“Noa. Romantic place. Take girlfriend” Anaya was too excited at this point, giggling and jumping around his friend, happy to be the first to know the details of how the date had gone.

“No, Anaya, it wasn´t… like that” Noa sighed mildly annoyed. Kind of disappointed.

It had been just a sweet moment between Mae and him, it wasn´t a mating ritual, nor a proposal. It was just a night out with a girl he cared about and wanted to show her something nice and pretty.

He didn’t want anybody to think he was trying to marry Mae (´cause he was not). That would be weird. An ape and an animal, getting together? Now way. That was just unnatural, wasn´t it? It would be like marrying a horse. “Except it would not be like that, and you know it” Noa thought. “She has the same features as you. Apes and human… we are not that different” Except they kind of were “But she is smart. She is not like those animals”

“It was just a nice walk”

Anaya snorted at his answer, like it was an obvious lie.

“With… who?”

Noa wondered if he could trust his friend, in a normal situation he would, but Anaya had imagined a whole scenario about a mate and a proposal, he didn’t want him to get his ideas twisted.

“Mae”

The ape stood in silence. The leader couldn’t figure out his expression. It was a mix between shock and something else, maybe fear?

“But I told you… it wasn’t like that” Noa tried to explain, his voice sounded nervous, and he knew that it seemed like he was lying “Really. The Echo never saw the dancers before”

The silence was getting unbearable, he needed to get out of there soon. Acting annoyed and angry, Noa pushed lightly Anaya to the side and started to walk towards the village.

“Wait” Anaya said, “Did she… like the lights?”

Noa turn around and looked at his friend, a kind smile was growing in his face. Noa tried to give him the same gesture, but the anxiety was just too strong.

“Yes, she liked the lights”

“Enjoyed the night? Both”

“Yes, it was nice”

Anaya walked towards his best friend, with open arms and a sympathetic smile, ready to hug the other ape.

“Then… that is all… that matters”

---------

It was a chilly night, not cold, but Mae felt the need to get a blanket to covered herself from the wind. She was getting goosebumps and a slightly runny nose.

She was with a group of apes, sitting in a circle and just telling stories and legends, some were made up and some were real things that happened in the village a while ago. The human was sitting next to Soona and Case, listening to a semi old male ape talking about the time he saw a creature bigger than a horse, with big paws and very fat. He said it attacked his wife, but fortunately they made it to the village and loose the animal on the way. The other apes were making fun of his story, saying he was probably making all up.

Mae supposed the beast he was talking about was a bear, but she stayed silent. She didn’t know exactly why she felt so scared revealing more stuff about the world to the apes. Except she did know.

She was terrified of them sometimes. She could see how they were improving their speech, at least Noa. Mae tried to fake an ape way of speaking, but it was very difficult to pretend and not let difficult words come out of her mouth. It was easier to stay silent. And the reason? She felt like she was teaching them human ways. And that felt like a nightmare came true. Mae saw the evolution among the apes. Spreading.

She learned to be around them, to joke and live a simple life surrounded by the apes. But she felt like crossing a line when it came to “teach” them.

They learned fast. Noa was the fastest. She remembered their conversation at the fire camp when they were after Proximus, how the ape asked about what they saw inside the telescope. She lied and said she didn’t know. Because she was too scared to talk about things only humans on earth knew about.

That same night, she observed Noa, fixing the electric weapon. She was terrified.

“Cold?” said a male voice behind her. It was Noa, holding a blanket in his hands.

“Yeah, a little” Mae answered. The ape sat beside her, squishing between her and Case.

The female ape rolled her eyes and move next to Soona so Noa wouldn’t suffocate her.

Instead of giving Mae the blanket, the male wrapped it around her shoulders. The human girl stood still.

“What are they talking about?” the leader asked in a quiet voice, so he doesn’t interrupt the story telling.

“About everything” Mae said “That old ape saw a beast one time. Nobody believes him”

“Oh, the big paws monster?” Noa snorted.

“Have you heard his story?”

“Yes, he tells it all the time” Noa took a peach from his little bag and started to eat it. Mae noticed how he only eats with his mouth close now. Something he must have learn from the human girl.

“Do you not believe him?” Mae inquired with a rise eyebrow.

“Nobody does”

“Maybe we could—” the girl was interrupted by a different ape, pointing direct at her.

“Okey everyone! Maybe it´s… time… for the Echo… to tell a… story”

Some apes were exciting to hear what the human had to say, while others stayed silent, cautious.

“Oh, I… I don´t really have a story”

“Everyone has a story” Noa said with a grin, he was enjoying watching Mae get embarrassed.

“Can it be made up?”

“Of course”

“Well, uh… there is this story” Mae started “It was very popular in my home. Every kid knew about it. It´s about a princess, well, she wasn´t really one—”

“What is a… princess?” an ape asked from the opposite side of the circle.

“Uh… they used to rule kingdoms—”

Everyone started to murmur, scared, fresh memories of Proximus and the kidnapping.

“But they were nice kingdoms, they were gentle and kind, and showed mercy” That was a lie “Anyway, she was not really a princess, she was just a girl who worked really hard to get what she wanted. On the other hand, there was this boy, who was actually a prince. So, this prince gets turned into a frog by an evil man, and only a true love kiss could turn him back into a human. Then, this girl, found the frog and became very fond of him, they kissed, and the prince turned back into a human, they were happy after that”

There was a moment of complete silence, Mae held her beath, not knowing what to do or expect. Then, a whole lot of questions were asked, all at the same time, the girl tried to answer all of them, without revealing too much or making them confused. That wasn’t the whole story, she skipped a lot of details, but she knew the apes wouldn’t understand the concept of magic or human customs.

“How were… the princess?”

“They were beautiful girls with castles”

“The frog… talked? Like you?”

“Yes, he did. That is how they got to know each other”

After a whole bunch of questions, Noa noticed Mae getting overwhelmed, so he called it a night and send everyone to sleep.

He accompanied the Echo to her room, stopping at the door.

“Goodnight Mae. That was a good story” he said with a smile.

“Thank you”

“Sleep, princess”

[jombies]

rafe cameron, kook kingpin and president of delta kappa, notably was not a man of patience.

as your beloathed companion of a little over two decades, he had showed you over and over just how bad his restlessness could get. at this point, you knew not to expect boiling pots or horses held. it was fine. kinda annoying, sure, but tolerable by large—everyone had their character flaws.

except for when he was bitching in your ear because of it.

“yo, are you fuckin’ done yet? god, feels like i’ve been waiting years. jus’ throw whatever shit y’got in there on so we can go,” he drawled. you threw a manicured middle finger out past the wall between the both of you and received a snort in reply.

“been here forty minutes tops, rafe. i think you’re a big boy who can handle five more.”

a mumble in response: “i think y’should shove it.” you pretended not to hear him.

while you were hard at work tearing your closet apart in search of specific pieces, rafe was uselessly splayed across your bed, sheets rustling as he switched positions for the third time in ten minutes. you filed away a mental reminder to change them once you got home later—he was definitely going to imprint his male manipulator stench on your poor blanket. curse maison francis kurkdjian, you thought, lifting top after top to see what was on the front.

almost an hour of carding through piles of shirts sequined and embellished had your arms aching, though, and you couldn’t ignore the strain anymore. sinking back onto your heels, an executive decision was made to ease up on the heavy lifting; you prodded at a rhinestone astray on the shelf and watched it catch the light.

his voice, provocative as ever, sliced through your metallic haze: “come out here, yeah? w’nna, uh, wanna see what you’re wearing.” 

you took a moment to savor the peace while it had lasted and then leapt into the lion’s den. stepping into his line of sight toe-first, you could feel the air shift. it crackled like a riptide of sparks crashing over your skin. a forewarning of the storm. rafe had sat up, eyes flashing dangerously, attention rapt.

the denim of your skirt hardly covered your cotton-clad crotch, and as you twirled in place to show him the hem detailing, he got a full frontal of your pert ass. in your driven pursuit of a certain camisole, you had forgone a shirt—his gaze dragged over your bare torso, clad in nothing but a bra. jesus christ.

he drew a thin breath through his teeth and slipped off the bed, prowling towards you unhurriedly. you were too busy telling him about tonight’s outfit ambitions to care.

“i was looking for that red qipao top i wore to topper’s last birthday. y’know, the one with the gold pankou knots n’stuff? gonna match that with my yurman stack, it’ll look super cute. i’ll just find some pumps to—”

“hey, shut—shut the fuck up, yeah?”

thus struck the lightning.

not a blink and rafe was right before you, gripping your face with a calloused hand and leaning down to invade your space. his next exhale swept over the slope of your nose. you barely felt it crest before his lips crushed against yours, intense and proprietorial.

those hands dropped down, seizing greedy palmfuls of your ass, cupping the seam of your clothed cunt. every reedy noise he plucked from your throat was swallowed into his maw—you licked across his teeth, sucking on his tongue as it crowded against your palate. a whisper of a touch against the front of his jeans had him groaning low and ragged, and he surrendered your mouth to fish his phone from his pocket.

“wh,” came your breathy inquiry, edging on a whine, “what’re you doing?”

god, he could be so weird sometimes.

tapping hastily at his keyboard, he muttered, “lettin’ the guys know i can’t make it tonight. too busy. gotta handle stuff. veeeery important bureaucratic stuff. shit’d probably fly right over your head if i tried explainin’ it to you.” a whoosh confirmed whatever he was typing had sent, and his phone dropped from his grasp, forgotten.

your brows twisted in thought, but he was herding you to bed with a wandering palm before you could come to any conclusions.

[luna-eclipse2000]

Your first Valentine’s Day with AOT boys + Hanji

Ft. Eren, Armin, Jean, Marco, Connie, Levi, Hanji

Notes: Connie’s is suggestive so MDNI, no pronouns used for reader

Eren

- He’s never been a fan of Valentine’s Day

- He just never saw the point

- But that’s not to say he hated the idea of buying a future partner some flowers and chocolates

- In fact, he would find himself day dreaming about seeing his partner smiling as they gaze upon the gifts he bought them

- And since he and Jean both got into relationships before Valentine’s Day, he knew he had to go above in beyond

- Not just because you deserve it, but because he wanted to stick it to that horse-faced bastard

You’re out with your friends for brunch, a Valentines tradition you’ve had for years because none of you had boyfriends before. All of you are taken now but that doesn’t stop you three from meeting up. Just as your food comes, your phone rings with Eren’s tone. “Sorry, give me a second.” You apologize before pulling out your phone to read the text.

Bird boy: Come to my place when you’re done with your friends. I got something to show you ;)

You know your friends will tease and press you to get more information just to see you get flustered, so you put your phone away and pretend it was nothing. But of course you’re now eager to get over to Eren’s place to see what he has in store.

Most people who send winking emoji’s mean it only to imply something sexual, but he does it to hint at something exciting. A surprise. Not to say he doesn’t mean it in the traditional sense, too. You’re also expecting him to do something big because of his rivalry with Jean.

However you’re not prepared for what you see when you walk into his apartment. There’s petals scattering the floor, unlit candles hang from the ceiling, pink and red ribbon hang along the top of the walls, an overly large teddy bear sits against the wall where the balcony is, and Eren stands in the centre of it all wearing a red velvet suit with black lining. “Eren Jaeger, what did you do?” You question with a smile, hands placed on your hips.

“Giving you the best damn Valentine’s Day you’ve ever had.” He answers like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. He then walks up to you with a heart shaped box in his hand. “Chocolate?”

“I’ll never say no to Lindor.” You answer and take out one of the wrapped chocolates. “Do you like it?” Eren asks. “You certainly exceeded every expectation.” You tell him. “I was going to light the candles but Armin told me the flames would burn the fishing wire and start a fire.” Eren admits. “And while that is the perfect way to describe my love for you, I don’t think the building manager would get it. Or care.”

You laugh, resting your head on his shoulder for a brief moment before looking at him again. “You can be so cheesy, you know that?”

“As long as you’re happy, I don’t care how cheesy I get.” He says before pressing his lips to yours. “Now go pose with the bear. I need to brag to Jean.”

Armin

- This boy does his homework when it comes to holidays

- He finds out what you like and what you don’t so everything will be perfect

- He writes a step-by-step plan for before, during, and after your first Valentine’s with him

- But when you meet him at the restaurant

- He forgets the entire plan

- Not a shred of it remains in his head

- And he becomes the shy, flustered, awkward Armin we all know and adore

You fiddle with your clothes as you walk up to the restaurant Armin suggested for Valentine’s. He had to take his grandfather to an appointment so he profusely apologized for not being able to pick you up himself, but promised thar he’d make up for it. This restaurant is usually pretty booked up in advance, especially for holidays, however he said he knew the owner so he and his friends get tables pretty much whenever they want.

“Hi there.” The hostess greets as you walk up to the stand. “Name for the reservation?”

“Uh, it should be under Armin Arlert.” You tell her. “I don’t think he’s here yet.”

“No, it doesn’t look like anyone’s been seated at your table.” She says after tapping on the tablet in front of her. “I can take you back now if you’d like, or you can wait for him up here.”

“I’ll wait for him, thank you.” You say and then stand off to the side. You look around at the restaurant since this is your first time stepping foot inside. It’s certainly very fancy and the food must cost a fortune. “They probably offer rich shit like calamari and the Grey Stuff from Beauty and the Beast.” You think to yourself.

The tables all have ivory tablecloths with gold details around the edges. You can even see a wine room closer to where the kitchen is. Each table has a rose in a vase in the centre of the table. Your gaze then falls onto all the couples in the dining room. Everyone is dressed to the nines, wearing obviously designer clothing and expensive jewelry. This causes you to feel a bit insecure and wonder if you should’ve dressed up a bit more.

Your clothing isn’t designer, but it still cost a pretty penny. You’re sure that if you bought your clothes with any of these people’s cards, they wouldn’t even notice the charge.

The bell rings behind you, signalling that someone has come in. You turn around and see Armin walk in carrying a bouquet of red, pink and white roses, and a red gift bag clutched in his right hand. “Armin.” You address your new boyfriend.

He turns to face you with a confident smile on his face but then he goes slightly slack jawed, a deep red blush spreading across his cheeks and to the tips of his ears. “I- Um- You- Uh, wow.” He clears his throat and looks away.

“Hey, are you ok?” You ask, reaching out and touching his cheek. “Yeah, you just… You look stunning.” He says, still not looking at you.

“Aw, thank you.” You say sweetly. “I was starting to think I stood out like a sore thumb.”

His head whips forward with what seems to be a mixture of confusion and fear in his eyes. “No! Not at all! You’re easily the best-looking here.” He then remembers the gifts in his hands. “Oh! These are for you.”

You chuckle at his awkwardness and take the items from him. “You’re so cute. You didn’t have to get me anything, you know.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I make things weird?” He asks nervously. “No, absolutely not.” You assure him. A look of relief washes over his still-red features. “I’m just saying it’s sweet that you wanted to spend your money on me.”

“Of course. It’s my job to spoil you.” He says, tucking his hands into his pockets. You’re extremely grateful that he even got you flowers let alone something that won’t die in a few weeks, but you start feeling guilty about not getting him anything. You didn’t think you were at the gift-giving stage yet.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get anything for you.” You apologize. “I don’t need anything, sweetie.” Armin tells you. “All I want is for you to have fun.”

You smile at him, feeling better but you’re still not 100% satisfied. So you take a step forward and press a soft kiss to his mouth. “Does that suffice?”

He doesn’t answer because he’s focusing all his energy on not passing out right then and there. When he finally does speak, it’s more of an incoherent babble than a proper sentence. You let out another laugh at his shyness.

“Oh, I see your date is here.” The hostess says as she walks back to her stand. “If you two want to follow me, I’ll show you to your table.”

You gently put the flowers into the bag and take his hand in yours as you follow her to the back of the restaurant. Armin is about 99% sure he just died and went to heaven.

Jean

- We all know that Jean is a hopeless romantic

- So you can bet that he’s been planning Valentine’s Day for a while

- Even before he got into a relationship, he would dream about what he’d do, where he’d take his partner, and what gifts he’d buy

- 100% gets his mother flowers and something else she likes

- Remember that trend about getting a bouquet of 100 roses?

- Yeah, he sees that as a challenge

- So you best believe this man has bought you a bouquet of 200 roses (or your favourite flower)

- You can barely grip the base it’s so big

- (Get your minds out of the gutter, ya nasty)

It’s been a long day at work and you just can’t wait to get home and see Jean. You just got promoted so it’s been pretty hectic trying to get used to the new change, and it doesn’t help that your new boss hasn’t warmed up to you yet.

You trudge up the pathway to your house and quickly open up the door. “Jean! I’m home!” You call out, tiredness dripping from your voice. You didn’t realize when you walked up to your house that all the lights were out. You were far too busy thanking the universe that the day was done. But now as you kick off your shoes, you realize that you can barely see anything. “Jean?”

You look towards the living room and see some candles sitting on the adjacent dining room table. You arch your brow in curiosity as you walk towards the candles. “Jean?” You call out again. The table has a red runner going down the middle with the fine china plates from your wedding sitting at each end.

You two only bring those plates out for special occasions because they’ve been passed down as wedding gifts in his family since his Great Grandmother’s wedding. Soft music starts to play, the kind that’s in those romantic movies when the male leads sees the female lead in a pretty dress for the first time. You see Jean walk out from the kitchen holding the largest bouquet of flowers you’ve ever seen. He literally needs two hands to hold it.

“Hello, my love.” He says, needing to peer around the flowers to see you properly. It also doesn’t help that the bouquet is wrapped in red paper with white lace as an accent.

You laugh at the comically large flowers. “Jean, what on earth is going on?”

“Oh, I saw a trend of people getting 100 roses for Valentine’s Day and knew that you deserved better than that.” Jean answers and then hands you the bouquet. “I can’t even seen you!” You say through your laughter. “But it’s very sweet of you. Thank you, Jean.”

“You’re very welcome.” Jean says. You take a moment to smell the flowers before lying them down in the centre of the table. “Now sit down. Dinner’s almost ready.”

“What is all this?” You ask, gesturing to the table. “Did you do something and need to apologize before I find out?”

“What? Of course not! Well, not this time at least.” He says. “You’ve been working so hard these past few weeks. You needed something to make you smile and I figured that Valentine’s was the perfect time. Besides, this is our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, of course I had to go all out.”

Your smile drops. “Ah, shit. Is that today?” He nods his head. “Ok, give me one second!” You turn and run towards the stairs.

“Hey, where’re you going?” He calls after you. “I’ll be right back! Give me thirty seconds!” You say while running up the stairs as fast as you can without tripping. You rush into the guest bedroom and open up the second drawer of the bedside table. You then move some old cards out of the way and grab the leather box you hid in here last month.

“That was longer than thirty seconds.” Jean jokes as you walk back into the dining room. “Well, excuse me, Mr. Time-Keeper.” You respond before holding out the box. “Here. I didn’t totally forget.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything, love.” Jean says softly as he takes the box from you. “You give me gifts every time you see something you think I’d like. Of course I had to get you something.” You say.

He opens up the box and gasps softly as he sees an antique watch. You two passed by a little shop while walking to your friend’s house and he couldn’t help but gawk at it. So you went back the next day and immediately bought it for him, not even looking at the price tag. He looks up at you with adoration in his eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome.” You respond. He places the watch down on the table before pulling you into him, placing a kiss on your lips. You instinctively wrap your arms around his neck to pull him even closer as the kiss deepens. He moves his hands to your waist and squeezes softly, showing you how much he’s enjoying this moment.

But the next second, the timer goes off on the oven, forcing you two to separate. “Guess we’ll have to finish that later.” Jean says with a smirk on his face.

Marco

- We all know this guy is a sweetheart

- He doesn’t plan anything extravagant, but it’s still amazing

- Adorable would probably be the best word to describe what he does

- He doesn’t do anything cheesy so don’t expect a stuffed animal holding a heart that says “I love you bear-y much”

- Unless you specifically say you want one

- But if you like plushies, you’re definitely getting one

- His gifts are simple: A small bouquet of flowers, maybe some chocolates or candy if you like them, and something else if he feels you’ll really like it

You sit in your dorm room, anxiously waiting for Marco to pop by after work for a movie night. You bought one of those projectors that connects to your computer so you don’t have to crowd around the small screen. Not that you’re not planning on squishing as close to this angel of a human as much as you physically can.

You already have the snacks set up: some cookies, gummy worms, those heart shaped candies and a bucket of popcorn with pink, brown and red chocolates. The second you hear his signature knock, you’re bolting to the door and throwing it open.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, darling.” He greets you as he holds a single rose in front of him. “Aw, thank you.” You say as you take the flower. “Come on in, everything’s set up. We just need to pick a movie.”

You lead him inside your room and take a seat on your bed. You made sure that your roommate wouldn’t be home for a while so you’re using their bunk as the screen for your movie. You’ve trapped one end of a white sheet underneath their bed so you have a flat surface to project the film onto.

“I also have this for you.” Marco says as he holds out a gift bag. It’s a simple Valentine’s-themed bag with a bunch of red and pink hearts on it. “You’re too sweet.” You coo as you take the bag from him. You remove the tissue paper and light up as you see a little dinosaur plush sitting on top of a brown book. You take that out first, placing it on your lap, before grabbing the book.

“What’s this?” You ask curiously, rubbing your hand over the faux-leather surface. “Open it!” He urges. You can see the excitement in his face so you open the book up and gasp as you see what’s inside.

It’s a photo album of moments you two have shared before you were together, and moments from dates. As you flip a few pages, you see candid shots of yourself that you don’t remember him taking. “When did you take these?”

“Whenever I had a chance.” He answers honestly. “I hope you don’t mind. You just looked so great that I needed to take a picture of you.”

“Of course I don’t mind. This is the sweetest gift anyone has ever got me.” You say. He smiles wide and leans down to capture your lips with his. “Now what movie do you want to watch?” He asks.

“Titanic.” You answer simply. “Ah, a classic. Excellent choice.” He says as he sits beside you.

Connie

- The only vibes during this day are comedic

- If you’re expecting this man to be super sappy and give you heart eyes, you’re dead wrong

- He gives you valentines

- Like the kind with cheesy puns that kids give their friends in elementary school

- But also expect his own homemade valentines

- And those make you just about piss yourself with laughter

You get home from work and prepare to get ready for your date with Connie tonight. But before you can take off your shoes, you see a small piece of paper with a picture of Spongebob on it and a heart-shaped lollipop taped to it. You bend down and grab the paper and read what it says.

Be my Valentine!

You laugh, wondering why it was on the ground. Then you see another a few inches away. This one has a piece of bread on it with another lollipop taped to the side. It says: Be the peanut butter to my jelly.

You laugh again and then realize that there’s a trail of little Valentines leading down the hall to the bedroom. Of course you follow without question. One says: You make my tail wag, while another says: You make my heart go doki-doki. Then you pick up one that nearly makes you fall to your knees from laughing so hard.

It’s a photo of Connie from when he ate a ghost pepper. It was a dare from Jean that he wouldn’t eat one whole. So he immediately ate the pepper and instantly regretted it. He’s chugging milk, it dribbles down his chin, and his eyes are red. Tears stream down his cheeks and under his nose is wet from it running. Printed beside the photo in Comic Sans are the words: You’re hotter than the pepper was (Trust me. It was spicy)

You find quite a few more Connie-made cards until you reach your bedroom door. It’s closed over until there’s just a crack so you push it open and just about piss your pants laughing at what you see.

On your bed is Connie, surrounded by rose petals and those stupid candy hearts with corny sayings. But that’s obviously not enough to make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts.

He clutches a rose in his mouth like a dancer and wears a pair of candy underwear. Yes, the kind thats a bra and pantie set. He’s lying on his side, propped up by his elbow and his other arm resting on his side. “Hola, mi amore.” He greets, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. You laugh even harder, needing to lean on the doorway to keep yourself up. He can’t even roll his Rs because of the flower in his mouth.

“When I gave you a key, I wasn’t expecting this.” You say once you catch your breath. “But goddamn. I haven’t laughed this much in years.”

“Glad to be of service.” Connie says as he removes the rose from his mouth. “Now paint me like one of your french girls.”

And you start laughing again.

Levi

- Hates Valentine’s Day

- He finds the red, pink and white decorations an eyesore

- He just doesn’t get the point of having a holiday dedicated to showing someone you love them

- If you love them, show them every day. Why do you need a holiday to do that?

- Knows that it’s just a marketing ploy made by companies to sell more products

- But when you two pass by a store with a Valentine’s display, he sees your eyes light up and knows he has to do something

You know that Levi’s waiting for you in your apartment, you told him to let himself in using the spare key. “Levi! I’m home!” You call out as you kick your shoes off. You can see his sitting neatly beside the front door, but you don’t bother to put yours beside his. “In here.” His voice answers from the kitchen.

You walk in and see some of your favourite flowers sitting in a vase with a red ribbon wrapped around the glass. You then see Levi putting some cookies on a plate. “Levi, what are you doing?” You ask, walking closer to him. “You hate Valentine’s Day.”

“Yeah, that’s why I didn’t buy any of that cheap shit from the store.” Levi agrees before turning to face you with the plate of cookies. You’re even more surprised to see that they’re sugar cookies. They don’t look perfect, but that doesn’t matter. “You better like these damn cookies. Had to watch five videos before someone explained how to cream butter in ways I understood. Seriously, would a fucking baker need to look these things up? People need to simplify shit more often.”

You can tell he’s rambling because he’s a bit flustered, although neither of you will say it. The tips of his ears are scarlet so that’s also a dead giveaway. “You didn’t have to do this.” You say, the gratitude evident in your tone. “Of course I did.” He argues, crossing his arms across his chest. “You seem to love this day and you do so much for me. It was obvious I had to do something.”

“You’ll never admit it, but you’re sweet.” You say before placing a kiss to his cheek. He grumbles, but you know it’s not because he’s pissed. He just can’t express positive emotions well. “Just know we’re not going out to a restaurant for dinner.” He tells you. “Those places hike up their prices because they know desperate couples will try anything to save their failing relationship.”

“You’re such a romantic, you know?” You say sarcastically. “So I’ve been told.” He responds. “Now go sit down. I made your favourite.”

Hanji

- We all know that modern Hanji is a science teacher

- So when your first Valentine’s together falls on a school day, you’re fairly disappointed knowing they do a lot of hands-on work that takes forever to clean up properly

- They feel horrible and send you a bunch of flowers to your workplace to make up for it

- But of course they have a plan for the actual day

- They’re nothing if not determined and stubborn

- If it’s a good Valentine’s you want, then a great Valentine’s you’ll get

You’re sitting at your desk, scowling at your coworkers as they talk about what their husbands and wives are doing for Valentine’s Day once they get off of work. You know Hanji doesn’t have a choice but to stay late after school finishes because they insist on not having their students sit at desks for an hour, reading over pointless worksheets none of them will remember the second the bell rings.

The janitor refuses to touch their classroom because it’s always a surprise as to what lesson Hanji Zoë jazzes up that day. You hear your phone bing from your bag so you pull it out to see a message from them.

Han Solo: Meet me in my classroom once you’re done work. I have something to show you!

You don’t know if you should be excited or terrified. But nevertheless, you’re intrigued and the day seems to go by slower from there. Once the clock strikes five, you pack up faster than you ever have before and practically run to your car. You know the code to get into the school since you’ve had to come drag them away from their desk more than once.

“Hanji?” You say as you enter the classroom. “Hello, my favourite person on the planet!” Hanji responds enthusiastically. “Come in, come in!”

“Why did you want me to meet you here?” You ask as you walk up to them. “And why is it so dark in here?”

“My last class helped me make something for you.” Hanji says, taking your hand in theirs after fumbling around for it. “Look at the desks.”

You face forward and then a second later, the desks light up. On each one sits a light board in the shape of a different letter to spell out “Happy Valentine’s”.

“Hanji… How did you do this?” You ask in amazement. “Well I figured they were learning how electricity works, so they could help make me this.” Hanji says. “They were more than happy once they got all their teasing out of the way.”

“But… Why’d you have to stay late if they weren’t using any chemicals?” You ask in confusion. “I love my students, babe. But they can be dumb as a stump sometimes.” Hanji explains. “Some of the currents were too strong while others were too weak. So I had to do some tinkering.”

“Thank you.” You say as you turn to them. Their face glows in the light from the desks so you can clearly see their adoring face. “You’re more than welcome.” They respond before kissing you.

[judasgot-it]

i would like to know what hunting dogs would do when they want reader sits on their lap?👀

I am so late to this request but in honor of learning that Tecchou is 6 foot today.... mwah

Scenario: What they do when they want reader to sit on their lap (Jouno, Tachihara, Tecchou) Also slight NSFW elements but like it's mostly jokes. Thought I'd let y'all know ahead of time.

Jouno

He's not one for physical touch usually since it overstimulates him, but once and a while he likes to be warm and would definitely be some weird cheesy guy to use it as a sort of intimidation tactic. Like mafia men who pet cats.

If it's in any sort of public setting, it's because he is well aware you're hot and sexy (everyone who reads this is, because I said so) and loves to cuck people sometimes. He's probably into some shit like that idk

He probably does it in the most obnoxious way possible too - you'd think you're in some dark romantasy with the way he's acting. It's all a part of some evil scheme to piss off some dude that he's mildly annoyed by

Definitely does it once and a while though whenever you're in fancy af places. Dude likes to be praised and has a lot of money, don't tell me he wouldn't love to have someone pretty in his lap calling him nice things

Especially if you're his partner, he wants to show off that he won - he's blind, not stupid. He knows people are jealous.

Pulls you in by the waist and talks as if it's the first time he ever met you. He'll pull out some poetry and shit while tracing your hipbones, he does know how to make you feel enamored.

At home? In private? He probably likes his space but when he wants to have you in his lap, he just does it.

What are you? Too busy for your boyfriend? Nuh-uh. He just takes you. Are you going to punch a gift horse in the mouth?

Jouno has a big ego sometimes, thinking his mere touch is so special.

Although I think it's less of a physical want for touch and more of a security thing. He needs to know that you're there and aren't going to disappear from him

I think sometimes he is a little insecure and he just needs a hug, but it's hard to ask so he just. Pulls you into his chair and buries his face in your shoulder

I also headcanon that he gets cold easily, so once and a while he gives in and just uses you as his portable heater

Tecchou

Is all up in your space all the time, doesn't even realize how it might look to others.

Touching you, kissing you, practically glued to your side and staring at your face. If he's not on a mission, he is obsessed with you no matter what.

If you can't sit next to each other he'll just have you sit on his lap - he has big thighs, he makes a better seat anyway. Or he'll sit on the bench and let you sit on him if it's too cold for you - he's a gentleman, even if it means freezing his own ass off.

Isn't super handsy like Jouno is, he just wraps an arm around your waist to keep you steady and hold you close to him.

Definitely manhandles you though, makes you feel like you weigh nothing when he just casually holds you in one arm like a cat

He's more casual about it, but that's because PDA can be pretty easy for him. As long as he can have one hand on his sword, he's happy and feels safe

At home he can sit like that forever, but that's also because when he's on his time off he becomes the laziest dog around sometimes. If he's allowed, he would just cuddle up with you and do nothing but sleep

Has fallen asleep with you in his lap, which was cute but also you both avoid making it a habit since he is heavy and will hold onto you so tightly as if you're going to drown or something.

The best option he has is to pull you into his lap and spend time with you like that, even if all you're doing is reading a book or mindlessly scrolling through tiktok

He just wants to feel you there, since he spends so much time away from you

Admittedly he is most likely to get carried away from simple cuddling to other things...

Tachihara

He only asks when y'all are alone - like REALLY alone. He is used to his mafia image, and even when he doesn't have to keep it up at headquarters, he's scared of being teased.

Likes to hold you in his lap and just talk about each others day, it's one of his favorite forms of cuddling since he can just hold you with him while you're both in the office

He's a little lanky, he's built but he is shifting around a lot and it's hard for him to have you on his lap for so long. He doesn't have the biggest ass in the world (unlike some other dogs on this list)

Like Jouno, is really touchy though - he kisses you, teases your skin, and plays with your hands

He wants to enjoy the time he is spending with you, and if he could he would memorize your entire body with just his fingertips

It's almost like a massage when he does it, tracing your thighs in little patterns while you quickly fill in forms you both needed to do yesterday. He's enjoying his time, what can he say?

At home?

Dude is having you on his lap while you both play games or do your own thing. Parallel play

He want his time, but he doesn't want to lose time with you

It's a compromise, so he can sit on his computer playing PalWorld while you scroll your phone

It's warm, so y'all have the AC down and a blanket on just to enjoy each others company

Almost like a casual date lol

Idk if these were good tbh, I feel like they're very general? IDK

[the-sapphire-star]

First Meeting

Osomatsu

A groan left Osomatsu when he saw that his horse lost. 'Man, this is why I stick to pachinko' he grumbled in his head. He looked at the little paper in his hand.

"Now, what do I do? It's too early to head back home" he whined, wanting to stay out longer

"Why not just bet on one more horse?" Jyushimatsu asked

Osomatsu narrowed his eyes at his little brother. Yeah, because it was that easy. "Yeah sure, you got couple more yen I can barrow?" he asked to which Jyushimatsu shook his head rapidly, "well, there's the answer! I don't have money and neither do you" he sighed once more, "let's just go, I'll try pachinko tomorrow"

Jyushimatsu stuttered as he tried to warn his older brother, but it was too late. As Osomatsu turned around to leave, he bumped into someone else so comically that they both fell back on their butts. Jyushimatsu went to help his brother who was about to shout at the person who he bumped into, only to stop when he saw it was a cute girl.

"Ow, that hurt" she muttered and then looked up at the guy who she bumped into, "Oh, sorry about that" she chuckled

Osomatsu smiled and pushed Jyushimatsu away, "Oh no problem, it was my fault" he said as he hurried to help her up. As he did, he took a quick look over at the girl while she patted the dirt off her clothes.

She was so cute! (H/L) (H/C) hair, (E/C) eyes, and (S/T) skin. She wore a (F/C) sweater over a white shirt and a cute blue skirt. Pretty normal for a day out but she looked so damn cute in it.

"Oh, sorry you lost" she said, bring him out of his head. He blinked at her in question, and she pointed to the paper in his hand, "your horse. Sorry you lost"

Osomatsu glanced at his paper, remembering why he was angry a while ago, and scoffed, "oh don't worry about that" he laughed, "no big deal, nothing to worry about" he rubbed the back of his head and then gave her a smile, "so what brings you here? You don't seem like the type to be here"

The girl shrugged, "dad, asked me to come" she answered, "he said he was too busy with work but that he really wanted to come and bet on one of the horses" she rolled her eyes, "so he told me to come and try out my luck with his money"

"Oh really? So how lucky are you?" Osomatsu asked as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Jyushimatsu rolled his eyes at his older brother. 'I thought we were leaving'

She chuckled at his actions, "Are you asking about right now or with the horses?" She asked, "cause I'm liking my situation right now"

Osomatsu's eyes gleamed as a blush rose to his cheeks. Jyushimatsu's eyes widened at the fact that a girl, any girl, was flirting with his shitty older brother.

The girl giggled and showed him her paper, "but my luck with the horses is pretty good too" she said and Osomatsu's eyes widened when he saw that she had bet on the winning horse. He's had his small lucks with the horses too, but with the way she's talking, it was as if she rarely came here. The girl smirked as she watched his eyes turn to stars, "do you want it?" she asked. Osomatsu snapped out of it and starred at her in shock, "I don't really care about these things and dad could use a break from all this" she said as she nudged to paper towards him

Osomatsu stared at her with wide eyes. Jyushimatsu couldn't believe his ears either. Was she new in town? There was almost no one in this town who didn't know about him and his brothers at this point. Let alone anyone who would be so nice to give them a winning chance at anything! It almost brought tears to his eyes!

"Hellooo?" she called bringing him back again, "you want it or not?" Osomatsu blinked in confusion as his mouth opened and closed, not sure what to say. The girl chuckled and took his paper and replaced it with hers, "it's not a lot but at least you won something, right?" she said as she started walking past him

Osomatsu finally snapped out of it and turned to her, "Wait!" he called and ran up to her, getting her attention. She turned around and smirked at him, "uh, um, thanks for this" he gestured to the paper, "w-what's your name?"

The girl turned around and gave him a wink, making both Matsu's eyes widen, and their cheeks redden. "My name's (y/n) (L/n)" she chirped and walked over to the boy in the red sweater, "and what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm Osomatsu Matsuno" he said very excitingly, making (y/n) smile happily at him

"Well, I hope I see you again soon, O-So-Ma-Tsu~" she sang and turned to walk away.

Jyushimastu gasped and jumped back to his spot next to Osomatsu. "Did that just happen?" Osomastu asked with a goofy grin, to which Jyushimatsu just nodded his head strongly. Osomastu's smile grew as he clenched his hands, scrunching up the paper, "the others won't believe this" he said just as happily.

Jyushimatsu, again, shook his head rapidly. 'No way they'll believe us' he thought

Karamatsu

"Come on, Karamatsu!" Todomtsu whined, "we have been here for hours, when can we go?"

The two Matsunos have been at the clothing store for hours. The second oldest Matsuno had been looking though the racks, saying he's looking for the perfect clothes for himself, but to no avail yet. Todomatsu agreed to go, thinking he could get some clothes for himself. But he had chosen his clothes, bought them and now they were in their bags, and all that was left was for Karamatsu to choose his own clothes.

"Not just yet my brother" he said, not taking his eyes off the clothes, "these clothes just aren't right" he grumbled, "how will I impress my Karamatsu girls with these clothes? They have to be right, or it just won't work"

"Then let's go! You can try again tomorrow" Totty cried out

Karamatsu only hummed in thought. Yes, he could leave but if he did, he could miss the opportunity to find something really good right now. "I don't know..." he grumbled

Totty was about to scream at his brother when all of a sudden, a shimmering shirt was nudged on Karamatsu's arm. The two turned their attention to whoever was holding it and they saw a cute girl with (H/L) (H/C) and (E/C) eyes looking up at him a bit shyly.

"Sorry for being so forward, but I happened to overhear your little problem" she said with a small smile. The two blushed at her and listened attentively. "I wouldn't suggest this, but I did notice your pants and thought you might like this shirt"

Todomatsu and Karamatsu looked at his pants to see that he was wearing his sparkly pants...again.

Karamatsu smiled at her, "You're totally right! That is a great shirt!" he said happily as he took it

Todomatsu narrowed his eyes at his brother, "Yeah, no way in hell" he muttered quietly, but loud enough for Karamatsu to glare at him

"Do you work here?" Karamatsu asked, "I would certainly come by more often if a cutey like you were here" he said with a wink, "especially when you seem to understand my taste in fashion so well"

The girl blushed and waved her hands, "oh no, I don't work here" she smiled, "I just thought you needed help" she said and then glanced at the pink covered boy next to him, "your brother seemed ready to explode"

"Oh don't worry about him" Karamatsu said quickly before Totty could say anything, "what's your name beautiful?"

The girl's eyes widened at his forwardness, "(Y/n) (L/N), nice to meet you" she said

"I'm Karamatsu, the pleasure is all mine" he said eccentrically, Totty only rolled his eyes at him

The girl chuckled, "Um, I have to go but I hope to see you soon, Karamatsu" she said sweetly and walked off, but she turned back before that, "and I bet you'll look good in that" she said and walked off

The two brothers' eyes widened, and Karamatsu blushed as he watched (Y/n) walk away. "NO WAY!" Todomatsu yelled as he grabbed his brother's shirt, "A cute girl wants to see you again!? You!?" he screamed. Only for Karamatsu to have a smile on his face, not listening to his younger brother.

Choromatsu

"Nyaa-chan was as cute as ever!" Choromatsu fawned as he walked out of the concert hall. "So was Totoko"

It was one of those days where he just got to be by himself, without his brothers to judge or ruin the moment for him. "Oh, I wonder what souvenirs they have" he said out loud and ran to where they had all the merch at a table near the exit. He would do another Meet&Greet but he didn't have enough for that this time around. That and he was still embarrassed from when his shitty oldest brother did.

He'd have to give it a little longer before he did that again. He was pretty sure Nyaa-chan still remembered that incident.

"Let's see here" he wondered as he looked around the table. As usual, there was more stuff for Nyaa-chan then poor Totoko. "What to get? What to get?" he muttered. Then he saw a small figure of Nyaa-chan at the corner of the table...the very last one, too!

Choromatsu reached over to grab it. Only for his hand to bump into a smaller one's. He was about to yell at the person to get lost it was his, but his mouth closed when he saw a girl look up at him in surprise.

"Oh, sorry, were you going to buy it?" she asked

His cheeks grew pink as he gave her a once over. Her pretty (H/C) hair was up in a (short/long) ponytail and her (E/C) looked at him all innocent-like. He blinked when she spoke up again.

"Oh, uh, you can have it" he said happily

"But, you were going to buy it, right?" she asked

Choromatsu waved his hands, "Oh don't worry about it!" he chuckled, "there's always next time"

"But this is a limited edition Nyaa-chan model" she said making him freeze in his spot. She realized that he did not know that, and she chuckled. She picked up the model and placed it in his hands, making him shake his head and look at her, before she picked up a, smaller, Totoko model.

"What? But-"

"How about, you take Nyaa-chan and I take Totoko-chan" she said happily. "I don't mind, I like them both"

Choromatsu couldn't believe it! Someone was doing something nice for him? Not even his brothers would be this nice to him! His cheeks turned red and small tears appeared on the side of his eyes, making her look at him in question.

"Um! What is your name, please?" he asked, rather aggressively, making her jump

"I-I'm (Y/N) (L/N)" she replied, "Nice to meet you..."

"Choromatsu Matsuno!" he replied to her with a very low bow

"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you, Choromatsu" she replied with a smile.

Choromatsu turned red all over and was close to exploding in happiness. (Y/n) Smiled at him once more and bowed before walking off to pay for her figurine. Once she was gone, Choromatsu couldn't help but swoon and fawn over the girl, gaining weird looks from the other people around him. Until he realized that no way was anyone going to believe that he just talked to a cute girl.

Ichimatsu

'Where are all the cats?' Ichimatsu thought as he walked around the streets. It was strange. Ichimatsu almost never had any difficulty finding cats. Usually, some of them showed up on his window and he'd give them some treats.

He needed to get out of the house anyway. His brothers were getting on each other's nerves, so it seemed like a good time to get out while he still could. But for some reason, he couldn't find the cats even with a bag full of cat treats and the memory of the map the Riceballs gave him a while ago.

'They all must have found a place with good food somewhere else' Ichimatsu thought somewhat sadly as he continued to walk and look around. Up until now, he thought that he was the best place for them to get treats but looks like they found some place else.

"Good kikies" the fourth Mastu stopped in his tracks when he heard a very sweet voice from the alley right next to them. He was about to keep walking when he heard a couple of meow's coming from that same alley. He smiled lightly and walked in, forgetting about the voice already.

As he got further in, he stopped when he saw a figure crouching down, their back facing him, in front of a big pile of cats. "cute kikies" they coo'd

From where he stood, he could see that they were giving the cats treats, same as what he was going to do. He looked at the group of cats sadly and was about to turn to walk away, when one of the cats saw him and ran to him. 'ESP Kitty?'

The figure turned to follow the cat, and noticed Ichimatsu standing there. The boy flinched, his mind already thinking the negative of the situation. 'She's probably gonna scream and report me' he thought shakingly, 'she's alone in an alley and a random guy is standing behind her like a creep? Yeah, I'm getting my ass reported for sure'

The girl looked at him in question and then noticed the sardine snacks in his hands. She then smiled at him, "are giving the cats food too?" she asked, surprising him, "no wonder they've looked well fed for strays" she pet one of the cat's heads, "come on over. I bet they're still hungry, I didn't really bring a lot of snacks"

In his confusion, Ichimatsu got a good look at her. She had (h/l) (h/c) hair and she had a (f/c) shirt and black leggings with running shoes. Looks like she was out for a run and decided to feed the cats while out here.

The girl looked over at him when he didn't move. She then got up and walked over to him. He flinched lightly when she got closer, making her chuckle. "I'm not a biter" she said lightly and grabbed his hand to drag him over to the group of cats. Stiffly, he opened the bag of sardines and started giving them to the cats one by one.

The girl smiled as she watched the cats go up to him in comfort, as if they knew him personally already. As Ichimatsu fed the cats, he slowly started forgetting about the cute girl next to him...that is until he ran out of sardines and the cats all moew'd as if thanking him before they dispersed and walked, or jumped, off.

"Bye, kikies!" the girl smiled as she waved at them, making Ichimatsu jump, remembering that she was there. "You have a way with cats" she marveled as they walked out of the alley, "I bet they all know you really well by now, huh?" Ichimatsu only nodded as he led the way out of the alley. "Aw c'mon, cat got your tongue?" she asked with a light tease

Ichimatsu blushed lightly, "I-I always give them treats" he said

The girl gasped, "aw, you're so sweet!" she said and brought out her hand, "I'm (y/n) (l/n)" she introduced, "and who is the cat savor of the city?" she asked, only making him blush harder

"Ichimatsu Matsuno" he said as he shakingly brought his hand up to meet hers.

"I gotta go, but I hope I meet you again soon" she said as she brought out some headphones and placed them on. Ichimatsu's eyes widened, and small stars appeared in them, when he saw that she had on cat ear'd headphones without a care in the world. With a final wave, she jogged off.

Ichimatsu stayed froze for a while, his hand still in its outstretched position. Once she was out of sight, she brought his hand close to his face as if inspecting it. He had just spoken with a girl...and he even touched her! After maybe 5 minutes of staring at his hand, he stiffly walked back to his house, hoping that he does see her again.

Jyushimatsu

"Hussle, hussle! Muscle, muscle!"

Like every other day, Jyushimatsu was at the park, either practicing his swinging or playing with the kids there. Today, a little (h/c) haired boy ran over to him as asked him if he could teach him how to pitch and swing correctly.

Jyushimatsu being the silly, nice, person he is said he would if he paid him. The boy nodded and said he'll pay him if he managed to pitch and swing correctly. With a little thought, Jyushimatsu agreed.

So here they were, running laps because the boy, who is named (Brother name: B/N), messed up a swing. "Hustle, hustle! Muscle, muscle!"

"Why am I running laps!" (B/n) yelled angrily

Jyushimatsu stopped running and looked at him, "I don't know, pros run laps when they mess up don't they?" he asked as he picked up his bat

"I don't know!" (b/n) yelled, "let's just focus on pitching instead, for today" he said. Jyushimatsu agreed and did his best to explain how he should pitch correctly, only gaining a confused look from the little boy. He was about to try throwing the ball when he heard someone calling for him.

"(B/n)! (B/n), there you are!" a girl ran over to them and leaned down to catch her breath before glaring at the boy, "you're supposed to let us know when you want to come to the park! Not just walk out on your own!"

"Sorry, but I knew that this guy was going to be here for a bit today, so I had to get here before he left" (B/n) said, gesturing to the yellow clad guy next to him with the huge smile.

The girl looked over at him and noticed that he was just staring at her. She sighed and brought her hand out, "I'm (Y/n) (l/n), I'm his older sister" she introduced herself. Jyushimatsu brought up his sleeve covered hand and shook it rapidly, making her chuckled

"I'm Jyushimatsu Matsuno" he said, his smile not faltering, "(B/n) just asked me to teach him how to pitch, so I'm teaching him now" he said, clarifying what the little guy told her, "is he playing?" he asked

(Y/n) shook her head, "no, but he wants to. He's gonna enter the baseball club at his school later"

"But I need to practice first so I don't suck getting in" (B/n) grumbled as he crossed his arms

"I don't think you have to worry" Jyushimatsu said, "you're good for someone who's never played before"

The little boy's eyes widened and a huge smile spread across his face, almost rivalling Jyushimatu's own huge smile. After that, they agreed to practice a little while longer, while (Y/n) sat at a bench, watching them. After a little longer, (b/n) got so sleepy that he when he sat down next to his sister, he fell asleep.

(Y/n) giggled and Jyushimatsu helped her pick him up so she could get a good grip around him. "Hey, thank you for taking time to teach him" she thanked him

"It's no trouble at all" Jyushimatsu said, waving his sleeve around, "I always come to the park to play around...well almost every day. Sometimes I don't"

(Y/n) chuckled, "well, I hope I see you again" she said and walked away with (b/n) in her arms.

Jyushimatsu waved as she walked away and then turned to get his stuff when he suddenly stiffened up. "Did I hang out with a girl!?"

Todomatsu

"What a great haul!" Todomatsu sighed as he sat down on a bench. He had just gotten some really good looking clothes, the day was great and none of his annoying brothers were around to make him mad. "I gotta take a pic of this once-in-a-lifetime day" he said as he brought his phone out. Then he realized that he forgot his selfie stick at home. Oh well, outstretched pic it was.

He tried to take a picture, but he wasn't liking how it was coming out. He wanted everything he bought to be in the picture, but it wasn't possible.

As he tried over and over again, he didn't notice the girl who stopped walking and saw that he was struggling. After maybe 10 minutes of trying to get the perfect picture to post, he then noticed her looking at him. She flinched and bowed.

"I'm sorry for staring" she said quickly and looked at him, "I just noticed that you were having trouble taking the picture" Totty looked at his phone and then back at her, as if asking if that was all. "if you want, I can take it for you" she said

Todomatsu took a quick second to take her in. She had (h/l) (h/c) tied back so it was out of her face, she had (e/c) eyes and she wore a mask over her mouth, not uncommon around these parts. And she was wearing a simple (f/c) track suit. Totty didn't see anything wrong with her offer so he smiled and lent her the phone, "okay, sure" he said and got in position as she took his phone

With a quick couple photos, Totty asked her which ones looked the best, and with her help, chose the best and posted them on his social media.

"Wow thanks" he chirped once they were posted, "if it wasn't for you, I probably would've just given up and went home without taking a good selfie" he laughed, "hey, what's your name? Maybe I can tag you on it. You know, credit the camera person. I'm Todomatsu" he added quickly, leaving out his last name for obvious reasons

The girl's eyes widened when she realized she didn't even introduce herself yet, "Oh, sorry about that. I'm (Y/n), nice to meet you" she brought down the mask and smiled at him, "you don't have to add me or anything, I was just happy to help

"Well, your help was greatly appreciated" he smiled at her, "well, I better get home. My poor mother will be needing my help with my brothers soon" he said

"Your brothers?"

"Yeah, they're a handfull and I help mom out around the house" he lied

"Oh, well, I shouldn't keep you, then" she smiled at him, "nice to meet you"

"Same, I hope to meet you again" he said with a wave. 'Oh man, she was really cute' he thought as he walked off, then he paused when he realized something, 'damn it! I forgot to get her phone number!' he internally panicked, 'now I really hope to meet her again!'

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Country Rose 3

Warnings: age gap, power dynamics, creep behaviour, other dark elements. As usual, be mindful of your content consumption.

I also beg of you to leave me some tuppence in the form of a comment and/or reblog. You are cherished!

Enjoy, my loverlies.

You go down and find Martha in the kitchen. She smiles so brightly as you appear and offer to help her finish the corn. You can't help a sliver of glumness. Your mother never was so happy to see you. No, it's her disappointment that pushed you accept the job  to move away to the middle of no where. 

The more you think about it, the more you doubt yourself. To what end are you putting yourself through this desolate purgatory. It might be novel and peaceful now but you always tend to grow bored with the familiar. It's the very reason you flunked out of college. You couldn't do the same day over and over.  

"What are we making with the corn?" You ask, hoping the conversation can ease the tension, not just with Martha but in your mind. 

"Oh, I got some potatoes to roast and some beef. Homegrown," she explains, "you do a lotta cookin', sweetheart?" 

"Mostly out of boxes," you laugh, "but I'm willing to learn. How are you roasting the potatoes? Quartered? Sliced?" 

"Oh, you are so darned helpful," she brightens and gently taps your arm, "you can grab the sack just there," she points to the pantry door, "and give em a scrub before you cut em. Anyway you like. I'll pick out some seasonings." 

"Sounds like a plan," you agree. 

You set to work. You haul out the heavy canvas bag with a grunt and barely get it on the counter. Martha hands you a metal strainer, dented from years of use, and you fill it, rinsing the skins in the deep sink. 

"Clark said something about school," Martha says, "you'll learn a lot more out here." 

"Oh, yeah, dropped out," you turn and pick up the knife she set out with the thick board. "You know... just wasn't for me. My mom didn't want me sitting around and to be honest, I hate doing nothing." 

"Lots to do around here," she assures. 

She doesn't seem sad at the statement. She seems excited for your help. You're almost relieved as you expected cow dung and horse flies. 

"I'll be sure to carry my weight," you promise as you start chopping.  

"Mm, how sweet you are," she trills, "I see why Clark brought you here." 

"Uh, yeah, I'd hate to let him down. And it's a far way from home." 

"Why, you're grown. Not really meant to be home, is it? Finding your way like we all do," she hums and fills a pot with water, covering the corn cobs. 

Before she can attempt to lift it, you're at her side, "let me, please." 

"Oh, dang, you are just like, Clark," she mutters  "I'm not out to pasture just yet." 

"I know, but... it's heavy even for me," you assure her and show your effort as you carry the pot to the stove. 

"Mmm, still my house," she frowns and backs up. "Well, when I was your age, me and Jonathan were married for a while. Couple years but... no kids. Not til Clark came along." 

"Oh? How old were you when... when you had him?" You ask out if courtesy. You peek at her. You're not sure of her age and you're not bold enough to guess. Clark has to be at least in his mid-30s. 

"Oh, yes, about his age now," she answers as if reading your mind. "He's mine. Ours. Not by blood. Could never... you know..." she looks grim as she lowers her chin, "all the same, me and Jonathan never saw him as anything but ours." 

"Adopted?" You wonder. 

"Think we were meant to wait for him," she perks up, "anyway, how can I be sad with such a good son? Don't ya think?" 

"Yes, Clark is very nice," you agree. 

"Sweet boy," she preens, "strong, gentle, smart." She clasps her hands together, "I'm sure I don't need to say it." 

"Mm, uh huh," you murmur, not really sure what she means. 

“I know a lovely idea,” she says, “I have the meat marinating so why don’t you take him some of my sun tea? It’s his favourite.” 

“Ah, um, sure, I can do that.” 

“And take your time. You don’t gotta stay inside all day,” she chimes. 

“There’s a pitcher in the fridge. Put some ice in before you rush off. Have some yourself if you like.” 

You take the task as an opportunity to see more of the farm You pour a glass of the dark iced tea and add a few cubes of ice. Martha watches you go with a bright expression that leaves you a bit uneasy. It’s just her way, you guess. Maybe it’s a part of her condition. Clark mentioned she wasn’t quite herself. 

You head out and stop at the top step of the porch. You realise, you don’t know where to look for him. Instead, you look out at the fields and the barn, and the meeting of blue and green off on the horizon. It’s beautiful. You think this is what it feels like to have your breath taken away. 

“Hey,” Clark startles you as he appears. “Dinner already?” 

“Um, just tea, your mom sent it out,” you come down the steps to meet him. His skin glistens in sweat that dampens the edges of his shirt. The fabric clings to the thick muscles beneath.  

“Thanks, you have any?” He accepts the glass and gulps deeply. 

“Not yet, maybe with dinner.” 

“How’s ma doing?” 

“Fine, fine. I’m just helping her. She seems happy.” 

“She would be,” he shrugs, “always wanted a daughter. Spoiled me for sure but I know. She would’ve done well with one.” 

“Yeah, uh, but she loves you.” 

“Well, yeah, but every mother wants a daughter,” he says, “what about you? How are you settling in?” 

“Um, good. It’s... different.” 

“For now,” he says, “but you’ll get used to it.” 

[opheliachoii]

My Oh My! 𖤐

MICHAEL KAISER X READER

ABOUT : Your cousin Isagi has introduced his teammates to you, and one person caught your attention. Is he an insane walking black flag or the literal opposite?

note : I'll still post guys! It's just that university is killing me recently T^T Enjoy!

— You were just peacefully reading a novel, as Isagi suddenly showed up in your room bringing exciting news.

"WELL IF IT ISN'T MY FAVOURITE COUSIN!" Isagi sarcastically spoke "What is it now.. You're literally just ruined my day." You rolled your eyes.

"Hey hey, I came here to tell you some news—" "Yoichi.. Aren't you training in what you call that place blue block?" You teasingly squint your eyes.

"Correction. "Blue Lock". And yes I am training, but I came here to tell you my news related to my training.. I want you to come visit! There's a day where visitors are allowed! I want to introduce my team to you" You were speechless from the sudden news Isagi had carried for you.

"Woah woah, slow down. Visitors? Why me though?" You asked "Oh c'mon! You're always staying inside your room. Go get some fresh air, touch some grass. Your skin has barely felt sunlight!"

"Yoichi, you're exaggerating. I'm coming, I did not say I wasn't accepting your offer" You sarcastically scoffed. "REALLY? YES!! Chigiri is also inviting his sister, you two will surely get along!" You simply snickered "Okay okay, slow your horses down. When exactly?"

"Tomorrow!"

— Time Skip —

As you arrived to the headquarters of Blue Lock, you noticed that they're not only Japanese men here, but also foreign men.

"Goodness, good thing I never failed my English.. Perks as mixed blooded." You sighed in relief "Hey! You must be Isagi's cousin!" A cute red haired girl approached you "Ahh yes! Hello! And you are?"

"Koyuki! Chigiri Koyuki" She smiled "AHH! You must be the sister Isagi told me about! Nice to meet you!" You bowed "Yes! I'm Hyoma's sister" You both smiled.

"There you are!" Isagi said as he was sweaty from his practice "I see you've met Chigiri's sister" He said as he bowed at Koyuki "You guys can come in now, don't mind us being so sweaty and stuff, we just finished training" He awkwardly laughed "Intense training indeed." You and Koyuki laughed.

As you guys entered the headquarters, you saw a lot of players, and all laid eyes on you and Koyuki "Uhh.. Yoichi, where are the other visitors?" You asked in a concerning tone.

"お姉ちゃん!" [ O nēchan ] Chigiri called out to Koyuki "Hyoma!! Where are the other visitors..?"

"About that... They invited their friends and family, but... Most of us here are foreigners, so traveling was one of the major problems.." Isagi explained "But what about the Japanese?"

"Busy, had reasons." Chigiri replied "So basically only you and Isagi's cousin are the visitors here" You and Koyuki stared at each other and awkwardly smiled. "Sure.."

— Time Skip —

You and Koyuki had been talking with each other while staying in the bleachers, and she was talking so much, yet you felt shivers down your spine as the boys were staring at you two, leaving you anxious.

"Uhm.. Koyuki, the boys are staring at us.." You tried to calm yourself down "I know. I just tried to talk alot to release my nervousness" She awkwardly laughed.

"Why weren't we informed that it was only the two of us.." You rubbed your nosebridge from despair.

"They're all so hot too.. Help me.." Koyuki gripped my wrist, and you tried to calm her down.

While you two were lowkey panicking on spot, Isagi and Chigiri was surrounded by the boys.

"Yo! Chigiri, who's the cutie? Is that your sister?" Otoya slung his arms on Chigiri's shoulder flirtatiously.

"Oh not today Otoya, I don't want you playing with my sister's heart, no." "Oh please, I just wanted to get to know the gal" Otoya winked.

"Isagi, is that your sister?" Ness asked "No, she's my cousin. Why?" "Uh, nothing she looks foreign, like not purely Japanese" Ness added, without knowing someone from behind was eavesdropping Ness and Isagi's conversation.

"Oh, yeah she's not purely Japanese, my aunt, which is my mother's sister had married a German, so she's half German. But she's staying here in Japan because their home is still in progress, it's a big place." Ness was astonished "So that means we can interact with her easily since she can speak German" "Correct."

"WOAH REALLY? That's interesting..." Aiku popped up "She's really pretty too" Bachira added.

"So a hottie and a cutie as the visitors of the day.. I'm BLESSED!" Otoya rejoiced "Shut up!" All of them yelled at Otoya.

— Time Skip —

As the day is finally over, everyone had done their post-stretching. "I'll be back, just gotta grab my water bottle in the locker room" Isagi reassured and you simply nodded.

You grabbed your novel you were still reading it halfway of it, a large figure appeared in front of you.

"Was liest du, hübsche Dame?" [ What are you reading, pretty lady? ] You startled yourself, "Excuse me?" You look up to find a very intimidating looking man "You heard what I asked, or you did not understand a single thing I just said?" He cockily stated.

"Ja, ich verstehe dich" [ Yes, I understand you ] You coldly replied "Guess Yoichi's wasn't lying" He chuckled "Why would he be lying anyway? And who are you?" You asked as you closed your novel.

"Michael Kaiser, 19, German." He spoke bluntly "And you are Yoichi's cousin, who is half German. Age?"

"He told you?" You simply sighed "18."

"Wie schön~" [ How lovely~ ] He chuckled. You simply felt awkward since a random guy approached you out of the blue, but you couldn't deny, he was ravishingly handsome.

"So you're German huh? From where?" "Berlin, you?" "Same" He smirked "What a small world, visitors can visit here anytime you know, didn't Yoichi tell you that?" You shook your head.

"You should visit sometime, y'know to see us play" He offered "Well—"

"Kaiser.." Isagi interrupted "Let's go" You nodded "Nice meeting you Kaiser, I'll be on my way now." He just gave a salute and said "Come back tomorrow, see us play" He winked flirtatiously. "This guy.." Isagi groaned.

— Time Skip —

As Isagi took you home, you couldn't help but ask "Yoichi.. Who's Kaiser? He suddenly introduced himself to me and he knew I was half-German. How?"

Isagi furrowed "I think he eavesdropped our conversation with Ness earlier, he's a devil, don't be with him. He's insane on-field. Everyone is targeting him, because of is mad skills in soccer. He's known as "God's Chosen Emperor" he's also a walking BLACK flag, not red, but BLACK"

"You're exaggerating again" You chuckled. "His a.k.a is basically just a translation of his name, Michael means "Gift from God", while Kaiser means "Emperor" and I saw a glimpse from his hand. He has a tattoo?"

"It goes all through his left collarbone, girls find it "hot" AÆUGH-!" You laughed "I don't know if your disgusted or possessed"

"But yeah, he's right you should come back tomorrow, visitors starting today can visit anytime" You nodded "Sure, I am pretty bored in my room most of the time. See ya Yoichi!!"

— Time Skip —

It's been a month since you've visited Blue Lock, and you seemed to develop a relationship with Kaiser, but somehow what Isagi said is kinda true, since he does have a flirty and cocky attitude, but you weren't there to judge him, you were happy to have a friend. Isagi didn't like it at first, but at some point he laid low, he's only observing Kaiser. If he does something below the belt, then that's the time he'll punch the shit out of him.

The game was intense as it was Bastard Mūnchen and PXG, and at some point you admired Rin. You've been keeping an eye on Rin, every single move he makes, you observed it crucially.

Koyuki, on the other hand, had her eyes laid on Aiku. She was head over heels over him ever since they had the opportunity to visit Blue Lock.

You were confused where to cheer from, since both of the teams has your favourites.

Kaiser noticed you always staring at Rin. Somehow, he felt something.. Something desirous.

"Kaiser! Now!!" Isagi yelled, Kaiser went back to his senses and took over the ball. Rin was after him, and as he saw Rin, he felt his blood boiling, not because of the game, but something else.

"Get the fuck out of my way." Kaiser sternly said and scored the goal. Bastard Mūnchen won.

"GOAL!" The team cheered. You felt happy for Isagi, and Kaiser's team, but you saw Rin frustrated. You wanted to approach him but you couldn't, he was too intimidating. You simply sighed.

"We won, schatz" You turned to see Kaiser taking off his jersey and placing in on your back "Ew! Sweat alert!"

"Don't be so dramatic, you're lucky I gave you my jersey fresh" He proudly spoke. But you didn't realized you were staring at his tattoo. "Wow.." "What? Like the view?"

"What—? Ew no! I was just admiring your tattoo, that's all." You defended. "Only my tattoo? Liebe gotta be better than that"

"Why are you calling me names?" You raised a brow, "Why not?"

You were about to reply but you froze as you saw Rin approaching towards your direction "Hey Kaiser, you had the guts to speak to me like that?" Kaiser took his extra shirt from the side and wore it "Why not? Bothered?" He smirked "You are so mad at me, why? Is it because I almost took your spot?" Rin added.

"Look kid, don't sprout your attitude towards me like that, why so mad? I only said you're in my way. Unless..." Rin was about to pounce at Kaiser when you and Isagi broke the fight before it even started.

"Hey enough, it was a good game. No hard feelings" You advised "It was NOT a good game to start with." Rin scoffed as he walked away, you felt offended from what he said. Kaiser, on the other hand felt pissed "He's fucking lucky to be praised yet he gave a cocky attitude in return, tch" He said and walked away.

You were confused, trying to figure out what he meant.

— Time Skip —

When you visited again, you noticed Kaiser leaning from the main door, waiting for you.

"Kaiser! Waiting for someone?" You asked "Yeah, you." "Me?" Without hesitation he grabbed your wrist and brought you to a place somewhere from the area.

You felt awed when you saw how beautiful the view was, "Kaiser.. This is beautiful.."

He sat down in the green grassy field, tapping the spot next to him. You sat beside him, and went silent for a while, just adoring the heavenly view.

Kaiser suddenly clears his throat to break the silence between you two.

"You like Rin huh?" He playfully scoffed "Rin? Oh, he's a cool guy" You replied. "Cool? How so-?" He asked.

"The way he plays, he has potential. His face card too, insane" Kaiser just responded with a hum. "Why'd you ask?" You raised a brow.

"So you like LIKE Rin?" "Hey I was asking the question!" He went silent. You soon noticed the vibe. You chuckled, his face was covered by his long hair, as you tucked his hair in his ear, you spoke "Why would they think you're a walking black flag?"

He suddenly looked at you "I mean look at me.. What do you expect? Tsk. Kinda understand why you prefer Rin"

You laughed so hard "My oh my... Michael.. I cannot fathom your words at all! Please don't assume. Actually... I like someone else.."

"Pardon? Is he not from blue lock?" "No? He is here." His face looking confused "Here? Where?"

"Right in front of me" You smiled.

He went silent for a moment "Wait, me?" You laughed "Yes, you" "WAIT, ME?"

"YES, YOU DUMMY!"

"But, I thought—" "Yes, I like Rin, but not romantically silly, just adoring his skills on-field" You explained "What about my skills? I'm better than him" He smugged. "I adore more than your skills." His eyes glimmered.

"The first time when you interrupted my reading session.. I was shocked to hear someone German at that moment, and I looked up seeing you, I was mesmerized, I never thought I would see another German in Japan somehow" You chuckled.

"But didn't you listen to them? I am a "Black Flag" yet you still—" "And so what? You may look like one, but you aren't one."

Kaiser's eyes widened, it was his first time hearing those words from someone "I know you had tragic times back in the past, I can see it through your eyes" His haughty look soon softened.

"Everytime I see you on-field, I was like "My oh my.. What a man.." You thought I was only looking at Rin? Think again."

Without hesitation, he kissed you. It was sudden but ardent. "No need, I was reassuring before I would throw these feelings away." He snickered. You went speechless.

"Hello? Schatz? Wait- can I finally call you that?" You were still in shock, yet you managed to reply through a nod.

Kaiser was jumping for joy in the field, his cocky, and arrogant aura, gone. The blue lock boys were eavesdropping from afar.

"Since when does Kaiser act like this?" Kunigami coldly asked "His inner child finally came out" Ness smiled.

Isagi was looking at you, observing. But him seeing you happy, made him happy too "Out of all men my cousin would end up with, Kaiser was the least on my list, but- here we are." He scoffed.

Kaiser carried you and spun you around "Danke, dass du mich liebst" [ Thank you, for loving me ] You simply smiled "No, thank YOU, for approaching me." You both laughed.

You sighed. "My oh my, my micha.. It was always you since day one. Ich liebe dich.."

Fin

[rosenclaws]

patiently waiting for your teacher au for leopold 🫣

omg teacher leopold my love. I can't help but wanna write a little something. Nothing big just some cute fluff

The English Teacher || Leopold Mountbatten x Reader

wc: 695

Your prep period was always your only chance to really get something to eat ever since your students decided to invade your classroom at lunch. You loved them you really did but it gave you very little time to eat when you had them telling you all the woes of being a teenager.

As you walk back to your classroom with an apple in hand a soft but strong voice stops you in its tracks. You try not to seem like a stalker as you lean against the wall next to the open classroom door.

Leopold.

The school's newest English teacher was reading to his students. He was smart, soft spoken, and ridiculously charming. Seriously men like him don't exist anymore, it's like he was plucked right out of one of the novels he teaches. You only had a few interactions with him but every time left your head spinning and your face feeling hot.

There's not a single word from his students as he's seemed to have captured them in a complete trance. Almost unheard of for a bunch of high schoolers.

"Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy, that he should have been in love with her for so many months." You know that book.

Pride and Prejudice. That takes you off guard.

As he finishes out the chapter you hear his students groan as he instructs them to write about the chapter. A simple question of what they'd do in Elizabeth's place. You feel a sense of disappointment knowing that his lovely reading voice was gone. Suddenly the man sticks his head out of the classroom door.

"Hello darling, I thought I saw you walk by." He says with a smile.

"Leopold! I'm sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop." You tell him, feeling embarrassed about being caught.

"Don't worry, I hope you enjoyed the show." He teases. He glances back at his class to check on them before fully stepping out, leaning against the wall.

"I didn't know Pride and Prejudice was in the Junior year curriculum." You say as you try and ignore the butterflies in your stomach.

"It's not, but I am partial to Jane Austen and I'd prefer my students read her stories over another Shakespeare."

"Not a Shakespeare fan?"

"Of course I am, but Shakespeare thrives on the stage, not necessarily on paper." Man he speaks in such an eloquent way it makes your head spin and of course he loves Jane Austen, next thing he'll say is that he rides horses and saves puppies on the weekends.

"If only you could take them downtown, heard there's a theater company performing Romeo and Juliet."

"Yes sadly that's not exactly in my budget." He says with a laugh, a twinkle in his eye.

"But I could afford two." The air is sucked out of your lungs as you stammer for a reply.

"What?"

"I'm asking you on a date darling, Unless I've misread our...interactions then I sincerely apologize." He says, a slight worry in his voice.

"No no you haven't misread anything." You blurt out.

"I would love to go out with you Leopold." You place a hand on his arm and squeeze it gently.

"Perfect. Truth be told my students have been hounding me about asking you out. Telling me that I have uh. Rizz?" His face scrunches up as he says that last word with such uncertainty. You stifle a laugh as you shake your head.

"Well I'm glad you listened to them and never say rizz again. Ever." You tell him and he nods his head in agreement. His students vernacular is not meant for him.

"I have to get back to class, but I'll see you after school." You tell him and he nods.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be  morrow." He says in a dramatic fashion which makes you giggle.

He winks as heads back into his classroom. Your heart beating a million miles a minute as you start to countdown the seconds until your date.

[brightlight-dazzlingeyes]

cloud country | pedri gonzalez

🌾 synopsis: You show Pedri your Stardew Valley farm. happy valentines day, yall. tags: just fluff. (written in 2nd person but no mention of yn) (around 980 words)

“So, the days start like this,” you start saying, balancing your laptop on your knees. "You wake up in your bed. And to end the day, you need to go back to sleep." 

Pedri’s lying next to you, one arm tucked under his head, the other resting lazily on his stomach. His attention flickers between the game and your face, but mostly your face. The duvet is bunched up around your legs, warm and a little tangled.

You click around with your mouse, navigating through your fully upgraded house in the game. Pedri shifts slightly, his knee brushing against yours under the covers, head tilted just enough to catch your expressions in his peripheral vision.

“Who’s that?” he asks, squinting at the pixelated figure on the screen.

“Oh, that’s my husband!” you say casually.

“Your what?” He turns his head fully now, eyebrows raised.

“My husband, Harvey! And we have a son too. His name’s Peanut.”

Pedri blinks, then laughs softly, shaking his head. “I thought this was a farming game?”

“It is!” you reply, clicking to lead your character out of the house. “Okay, so… this is where the crops are. Most of my farm’s automated now, though.”

His eyes drift back to the screen for a second, then right back to you, watching the way your fingers move over the mouse, enjoying the way your eyes light up when you talk about something you love, the way your voice shifts when you get excited about small details.

“You have a horse?” he asks, his smile growing.

“Oh yeah! That’s Abraham Lincoln.”

Pedri snorts, covering his face with his hand for a second. “You’re really good at picking names.”

“Wait till you see my chickens.”

You show him all the animals, explaining the thought process behind every single name – some with elaborate backstories, others just named after snacks. Pedri’s laugh is loud, his chest shaking slightly against the mattress.

Then you guide your character into a shed. “So, for this one, I’m going for, like, a necromancer vibe, you know?”

He looks at the screen, then back at you. “Right, necromancer. I figured – from all the skeletons and stuff.”

“Yeah, there’s a wizard and a witch in the valley, and also monsters you can kill with a sword.”

Pedri sits up a little, propping himself on his elbow. “Monsters you can kill with a sword? That’s the first thing you should’ve told me!”

His cheeks are flushed from smiling so hard, and you catch the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he looks at you like this – like nothing else in the world is competing for his attention.

You try to focus on the screen, but it’s impossible when he’s sitting this close, comfortable like he belongs here, like your bed is just as much his space as it is yours.

“So,” you clear your throat, shifting slightly, “this is my greenhouse.”

Pedri hums, leaning his head to rest on your shoulder, but his eyes flicker to your face more than the laptop.

“And this is my storage shed,” you continue, clicking into it. “Where I keep –”

“What’s your character’s name?”

You blink, thrown off for a second. “Uh, just my name, I think.”

“That’s boring,” he murmurs, tilting his head so his nose barely grazes your cheek. “You gave your chickens fun names, but you couldn’t come up with something cool for yourself?”

“I wasn’t expecting to be judged for it,” you say, clicking aimlessly now, barely registering what’s happening in the game.

Pedri chuckles and you feel it more than you hear it. His laughter sinks into your skin, spreading warmth up your neck. His arm brushes against yours as he shifts again, eyes dropping to your mouth, and it’s painfully obvious that neither of you care about Stardew Valley anymore.

You don’t even realize you’ve stopped clicking until his hand moves, covering yours.

His voice is quieter now. “Do you even care about the game right now?”

You exhale, “Not really.”

Pedri hums like he already knew the answer, his fingers tracing the ridge of your knuckles before trailing up, skimming over your wrist, your forearm. You swallow, pulse picking up speed when he leans in, before you can even think about teasing him back, he kisses you.

There's no hesitation. He doesn’t need permission to kiss you anymore – not when you’ve done this a hundred times before, not when he already knows how quickly your fingers will curl into his hoodie, tugging him closer.

But still – still – there’s that flicker of nerves, that split second of holding your breath like it’s the first time all over again. His lips are warm, soft. Pedri exhales through his nose, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, his fingers slipping under the hem of your shirt, brushing warm against your skin. The laptop shifts slightly as he angles himself closer, pressing you just barely into the pillows. You feel the curve of his smile against your mouth when you sigh, and he pulls back.

Then, Pedri mutters, "You still prefer this Harvey guy?"

You groan, pushing at his chest, but he just laughs, catching your wrist before you can shove him away completely. "Oh my God, you’re jealous of Harvey?"

"I mean, you did choose to marry him," he teases, grinning now. "That’s gotta mean something."

"Yeah, it means my real boyfriend is annoying as hell," you mutter, but your voice is light, and he can see the smile threatening to break through.

Pedri nudges his nose against yours, still grinning. "And here you are, kissing me instead of playing your little farm game."

You roll your eyes, but you don’t argue. Instead, you let your fingers slip into the collar of his hoodie, tugging him right back down.

"Shut up," you murmur.

He smirks against your lips. "Make me."

And that’s exactly what you do.

[catcze-hiatus20250524]

dad! wriothesley x mom! reader. mr rizzley as a father to his adorable lil twin boys. one day while reader was at work he decides to giev them a tour in the fortress of meropide and then reader finds out and scolds wriothesley:)) basically just a fic full of domestic and fluff��

AWWWGASHJD 🥺 That's literally so adorable ?!?! Damn, now I've got the visiomn of Wrio cradling one of his twin boys in each of his arms while they cling to his shoulders stuck in my brain aaAAAAAAAA

「 CWS : 」 Reader is called 'Mommy', etc. but no pronouns or mentions of readers biology are explicitly mentioned !! Also i didn't have the chance to mention the kids' looks, but in my mind im imagining your kids to look like mini Wriothesleys lmao

Wriothesley knows he's in for one of your long-winded lectures when you find out. He knows you're gonna chew his ear off, and that he'll sit through it and give you his whole attention like a good husband, but in the same way that he can't resist it when you ask him of something, he can't resist when his kids beg him for something either.

"Daddy, daddy!" Thomas yells right into his ear, making him wince. "What's that over there?" Thomas points one of his short arms at the entrance to the pankration ring's elevator, eyes glittering with curiosity. Sitting on his opposite arm, cradled to his chest just like his brother, Edward shares the same look.

"That? Oh—" He stutters for a second, wincing internally. He can just tell how much you're gonna tack on to your lecture later if you find out he brought your kids into the pankration ring. "That's... daddy's old workout place. Nothing cool to see there, bud. Haha. Hey, do you guys wanna see what Miss Sigewinne is up to—"

"Let's go there daddy!" Edward exclaims, trying to jump up where he sits, making Wriothesley quickly have to brace himself to not fall. "We wanna see where you practice beating up bad guys!"

"It's... Let's— Uh."

"Let's go daddy!" Thomas says, gripping his collar and tugging it as if to try to lead him there like a horse.

In unison, they chant: "Let's go let's go let's go!"

And Wriothesley can do nothing but sigh and let his kids tug him where they want him to go.

By the time he's getting back into the elevator to head back to the administrative area, he can say he's a little winded. Just a little, mind you. His kids, however, are bursting with life after they'd damn near forced him to show them every single nook and cranny of the fortress.

Oh he's in for such an earful later.

As Thomas and Edward continue to chatter to him about how cool the fortress is, how nice the people are and how awesome they think their daddy is (that last part makes him smile; makes him puff his chest out just a little bit more) Wriothesley nods along with each thing they say. Adds in a little bit where he needs to, corrects a couple details, but generally lets them prattle on about what they've seen.

"I wish mommy could've come with," Thomas says with a pout, and Edward nods. "I bet mommy has a lot of stories about this place, too."

"Haha—" Wriothesley laughs, but it's a little strained. "Y— ahem, yeah, mommy's been busy with work today, so how about we don't mention the tour today, hm? I'm pretty sure that mommy's gonna be super tired at home so we shouldn't—"

The elevator doors open then, and there you stand, eyes narrowed and arms crossed over your chest. Staring into his very soul.

"—make a lot of noise. Hi, sweetheart."

Your boys, however, all but jump for joy at your appearance, hopping out of their father's arms to run and cling to your legs. "Mommy! You're here!" They both cheer, grinning brightly. And for a moment, your cold rage at your husband is tempered as you crouch to their level, offering them a small smile.

"Hey, beetles," you coo, as they grab one hand each and clutch it tightly. "You two have fun running 'round the fortress with daddy the whole day? I bet you two saw lots of sights."

"We did!" they say excitedly, and in a blur of words and exclamations, they both try to tell you all about the things they've seen with their dad. You let them talk for a bit, smiling and nodding, before you gently interject.

"Sounds like you two had quite the day with daddy. Let's go back to his office— I have some snacks that Miss Sigewinne laid out for us."

They cheer once more like the little boys that they are, releasing your hands as they run back in the direction of Wriothesley's office, barely slowing their steps when you yell, 'Be careful!' behind them. Then you turn to the man himself the glare back on your face as he grins a little sheepishly at you.

"Before you start!" He says, holding a hand out placatingly, "I didn't plan to give them the whole tour. I was just gonna bring them to the cafeteria, then they got curious and... well... you know how they can get. "

You just sigh, the tension in your shoulders easing just a little. Because you do know how they get, and you know that Wriothesley can never say no if they ask nicely enough. It's one of his greatest weaknesses.

"Just— Please tell me you didn't bring them to any of the more dangerous places, please?"

And he has the audacity to snort. "Okay. I won't tell you then, sweetheart."

"Wrio!"

[abigailovesz]

HOW COWGIRL!JJ AND COWGIRL!READER MET !

from dust n fire

the summer jj turned seventeen, the plains were dry and cracked, and the wind carried dust like a warning. he was working a cattle drive up near Silver Ridge, sleeping under the stars and trying to outrun the shadow of his father’s name. he wasn’t anyone then - just a lean boy with sunburned cheeks, a short temper, and a scar on his knuckle from punching a fence post too hard.

that’s when he saw her.

you were standing on the edge of a corral outside a small supply station - boots scuffed, braid tied in a lazy knot, holding a pitchfork with more authority than most men twice your age. he didn’t know your name yet, but god help him, he knew he was already ruined.

you didn’t see him at first. you were busy wrangling a wayward colt, muttering under your breath and swearing like a stablehand. jj just stared, his reins hanging slack in his hand, until one of his friends elbowed him and said, “you’re droolin’, maybank.”

he didn’t care.

he approached the fence like it might bite him. “need a uh, hand?” he asked, trying to sound casual.you looked up.neyes, sharp as a whip crack. “I got two.”

jj blinked. then laughed stupidly. “you always this - friendly?”

“only to cocky boys who think they’re cowhands just ‘cause they don’t trip over a saddle.”

jj was stunned - well, and in love. right then. It didn’t even feel like a choice.

over the next few weeks, jj found every excuse to ride back to that outpost. he brought extra supplies, claimed he forgot things, even delivered letters that no one asked for. and every time, you were there - tossing hay, brushing down horses, yelling at your brothers, or arguing with the ranch hands like you ran the place.

he learned your name from the blacksmith. “y/n - oh, she's tougher than most men in this valley. her daddy raised her on discipline and gunpowder.”

jj tried to talk to you again. the second time, you let him walk beside you to the stables. the third time, you handed him a curry brush and said, “If you’re gonna follow me around, you might as well make yourself useful.”

he grinned so hard his cheeks ached.

he watched you when you weren’t looking. how you bit the inside of your cheek when you were deep in thought. how you never backed down from a fight. how you talked to animals like they were old friends. he memorized all of it - and told you none of it.

he told you jokes instead. tried to impress ya with rope tricks. got in a fight once just because someone called you “just a ranch girl.” you patched him up with steady hands and didn’t say thank you, but he saw the way you smiled when you thought he wasn’t looking.

one night, a thunderstorm rolled in out of nowhere. jj had ridden over late, hoping to catch a glimpse of you. he found you sitting on the porch, hair wet, eyes distant. he sat down beside you and offered his coat.

“my mama used to love storms,” you said softly, taking it. “said they washed the world clean.”

jj said nothing. Just looked at you.

“you ever feel like you’re meant for something more?” you asked. “like maybe… this life ain’t all there is.”

jj’s voice caught. “yeah. I do. but it ain’t a place I’m lookin’ for.”

you turned to him, confused. “then what?”

he stared straight ahead. “a person.”

after that night, things shifted. you looked at him differently. trusted him more. but still, you didn’t fall - not yet. you were too careful, too guarded. jj didn’t blame you. He knew what it meant to be hurt by someone you loved. so he waited. protected you from rowdy cowhands. fixed your fence in the dead of night. showed up when you didn’t ask and stayed when everyone else left.

one morning, you found a wildflower tucked into your saddle strap with a note in jj's crooked handwriting:

“for the girl who runs the world with dirt on her boots.”

that was the day you kissed him.

YEARS LATER

you both would laugh about it in your kitchen, babies in your arms, firelight on your cheeks.

“you were so annoying,” you’d say.

“I was in love, so it don't matter” he’d reply, grinning.

“ya still are.”

“always.”

and in that quiet house, on the land you both fought for, with clara’s wild giggles and levi’s muddy boots echoing down the hall, jj would look at you and know - he’d fall for you again, every damn time.

[uhohmichio]

my mother watches yakuza 0

[ disclaimer: just some silly commentary from my mother while watching Yakuza 0. these are mostly out of pocket comments I found funny/interesting. ] Please Don't Take Any of These Comments Seriously!!

we did have serious discussion on the side about the topics in the series.

[SPOILERS FOR YAKUZA 0]

[all screenshots from Gamer's Little Playground on Youtube]

she went on a storytime about how she got into a fight in highschool with a girl who was in a gang in chinatown.

"wait don't skip this, he sings good"

"ooh.... watermelon... I want watermelon now :3"

"oh I just remembered, I need to make an appointment for visionworks [the optometrist]"

she didn't think Lee was chinese. I even showed her his name in Chinese and she said 《(mandarin pronunciation) 李 文海 [lǐ wén hǎi] … (in cantonese) 你唔係[nei5 m4hai6](trans: you are not)》 I wrote a slightly longer post about it, but this was just silly. (pls don't take this seriously)

"Kiryu's new suit makes him look fat... but I think it might be Gucci" (classic casual older gen asian fat shaming) She said it was because of the double breast buttons, but I think the suit being white also doesn't help [i personally think he looks fine, nothing wrong with looking big or wide]

"Why does the sewer water look so clean? What kind of sewer is this?" For reference, we live in a city with shit water.

"What is he? stupid? He drove down the tunnel just to hit him once and then crash? stupid."

"Hey kid... just be yourself <3" [this was the nicest she was to Nishiki LOL]

"They're not chinese... what kind of game of mahjong is this??? How come they're playing so quietly?" I told her it's because... they're TALKING in the scene and she just went "tch"

"oh that's going to blow up"

"i told you" when i asked her how she predicted it, instead of saying 'it's a predictable trope', she said "because if you're going to kill someone, that's how you would do it" [???? don't get on her bad side i guess]

[Oda speaking Chinese] (my ABC friends and I think his tones make his Chinese practically incomprehensible.) my mom said "his Chinese isn't bad... if you know what's happening in the story and can read the subtitles. But not bad, not bad. I can understand him" [she does think the NPCs speak much better Chinese though]

"no fucking way [in cantonese]" (i don't remember exactly what she said in cantonese but it basically translates to that)

"he [majima] should just shoot him [sagawa]" almost every scene sagawa was in, my mom kept saying majima should kill him (lol)

"........ JAT MAA" [一 = jat1 (one) and 馬 = maa5 (horse)] She's reading the chinese characters as chinese. but it sounds like she's calling Kiryu "one horse". she kept saying this every time the business card showed on the screen, and I was dying of laughter because kazuma to jat1maa5 is so funny to me (I had to later explain to her how it would be pronounced as Kazuma in Japanese)

"majima should just kill him"

"I just don't think they need to do all that killing for such a small plot of land D:"

mom: uh... she's becoming vegetarian? me: ??? who's becoming vegetarian? mom: makoto, like, she's unconscious me: you mean a vegetative state? she's in a coma, mommy mom: ah yeah, Cuomo (former NY governor)

"oh his claws seem dangerous"

"he could kill him, or maybe punch him hard enough that he becomes Cuomo (former NY governor)"

[themcomicsofficial]

Welcome Home next update theory IDEA!

HOO-WHEE!! THAT WAS SOME UPDATE, HUH?

You this reminds me of? ANOTHER THEORY WH UPDATE YEE-HAW!!

*cowboy spinning on horse shooting guns*

Okay, I'll calm down...

Well, let's see what will happen next!

MAIN PAGE

The main page still has the goofy, lovable Julie Joyful as usual!

News

The news page will talk about how they found Frank Frankly related merchandise on their findings. There on more about learning on bugs and they said they found educational storybooks of him teaching about bugs.

The Neighborhood

Wally still has that telephone ringing noise, however when we click on Julie's--we hear anonymous breathing, anxious hyperventilating--almost seems like crying.

Discoveries

Storybooks

The WHRP finds a book called "Frank Frankly's Guide to Bug Anatomy"

Here's how it will play out, in the first page--Frank Frankly is looking at the audience on teaching about bugs.

"Why, hello there! Greetings and salutations! I am what you call, Frank Frankly! Today, we're going to learning about the culture of bugs--"

"BUGS? Aw, Frank don't ya think you're giving the audience a snooze fest?"

"Oh, get out of here! Barnaby I'm trying to teach here!"

"Okay! But don't come CRAWLING back to me when someone sleeps!"

(BA-DUM, TEESH!)

"OUT!"

*Barnaby laughs*

--And here we learn about the anatomy of my favorite species of insects, the Butterfly--

*Barnaby fakes snores as Frank groans in annoyance*

OH! Oh! Why hiya there, Frank! Boy! I almost had a dream of you boring us to death--OH! Wait that was a nightmare!"

"DOOOOOHH!! BARNABY!!" *head spins*

As he continues the lesson on the butterflies the record warbles and distorts as we hear a woman crying and in 17:59-18:02 Frank Frankly concludes with him thanking us for listening to his lesson.

"Yeah! Make sure you didn't fall asleep for this snooze fest!"

"OH THAT'S IT YOU!! C'MERE!"

Frank chases Barnaby as yelling ensues, objects fall over as the record ends.

Miscellaneous

The WHRP did found what it looks like a flower which sort of belongs to a Julie Joyful related toy advertisement what the description says that's "the last of the Julie related merchandise they have..."

Toys

Since this a Frank Frankly related update, the WHRP found bug plushies called "Frank Frankly's Baby Bug collection!" and they are twelve of them. As we reach the twelfth one, it has a black hand-print on it...

Hidden Links

Back on the Baby Bug collection there's a hidden link on the seventh bug's eye as we click it. We see footage of Frank Frankly's point of view examining a cockroach skeleton.

"Why aren't you a big one?"

"Hello, Franklin Franky! What are you doing in this gorgeous day!"

"Oh, hello Sally! Just nothing just looking at his bug..."

"Ugh...You know Franklin, I appreciate your um...admiration of insects but doesn't that seem--gross?"

"Gross? Now, now Sally! You can't judge a book by its cover! I mean look at this one!"

*Sally covers vomit*

"I mean look at it! It has green and blue texture it ain't beautiful? Why you would you call this gross?"

*Sally swallows*

"I-I guess it's alright...Franklin..."

*Sally looks over*

"Uh, Franklin?"

"Hmm...yes?"

"Look at that flower, it--it hasn't opened..."

"What?"

"Isn't it Julie's job to bloom the flowers?"

"Y-yeah...she is--she hasn't been outside since..."

----

*STATIC*

Hidden Link 2 (on Plushie Bug #5)

The camera shows a cobweb as Frank and Howdy are talking to each other.

"So, Barnaby told me 'I rather see paint dry then listening to a lecture on bugs!'"

"UGH..."

"Oh, come on, Frank! Barnaby is a pretty good jokester! Even he can interrupt your bug lectures!"

"But that doesn't mean he can act so immature on these topics! He always perfectly good moments! Especially when he HONKED that STUPID horn on my lecture on slugs!--TWENTY-FOUR, SEVEN!"

"Now, now Frank, no need to raise up your voice! We all know Barnaby is good at rolling people up!"

"I understand that, Howdy! But I'm just trying make people understanding the culture of bugs! Yet, I get no respect! No respect at all!"

"Well, you can take lectures on caterpillars--ah, ah?"

"I did that on Friday..."

"Okay, just pulling your leg! *chuckles*"

The POV footage switches to (WARNING: ARACHNOPHOBIA) real life spiders on webs.

"Speaking of which, how's you and Julie?"

"Um...Julie's been--acting odd..."

"Odd?"

"I check up in her room she's been acting--weird...I gave her food and hasn't touched it in a week..."

POV Camera shows a a moldy portage and what was once milk now looks like white clay on glass with small flies all over.

"I-I don't know what happened to her after her siblings left..."

"She doesn't want to talk to me...Or anybody...I think something's wrong with her..."

Wally appears behind Frank.

"Did. Something. Go. Wrong. Frank?"

*STATIC*

Radio

WHRP shows us another episode of "A Darling Broadcast" this time is on bugs with guest, Frank Frankly is with Wally on talking about different shapes, sizes of bugs. As with Barnaby mocks and makes fun of Frank in a crude, but friendly way.

As the interview goes to Poppy, Eddie, Sally, Howdy then to Julie as Frank continuously knocks at her door. No response...

"Julie? Julie? Julie it's Frank! Wally is just--"

Is. She. There?

"Hang on, JULIE! *checks her windows* C'mon Julie! don't do this to me today! *knocks again* JULIE--CUT THE SCENE, CUT THE SCENE!"

*RADIO STATIC*

"Geez, what got him rallied up? Guess he got the dose of the bed bugs!"

(BA-DUM TEESH!)

*Barnaby laughs*

Away from Prying Eyes

W is starting to lose his mind--he's making Welcome Home his entire lifestyle, he hasn't left his house in weeks in comedic hindsight. He started ordering fast food from the internet.

However, he said he found a "Lookie-Loo" storybook and vinyl where he stated it was a Sally Starlet play on bugs but it was destroyed when delivered. The pictures showcases a BIG INK SPLAT on the vinyl sleeve, the book missing its cover, and the pages that have Julie and Frank are torn up!

Audio on AFPE:

"*disturbing noises, and deep laughter, and record scratching--(Julie) BEHOLD I AM THE QUEEN BUTTERFLY! I AM THE RULER OF THIS LAND! YOU WILL FEAR MY WRATH--*distorts*"

W said he was sick from doing research after drinking a five decade soda, "Joy" he even told us we was vomiting twenty-four, seven. Yet, he calmed he puked black sludge on the toilet...

If you brighten up the image it shows a grotesque image of his toilet covered in black goo...if you look on the top right corner a cockroach is there...

Hidden Link 3 (On AFPE on bottom center left on page)

POV shows a a worn out corner of a room, it's filled with termites.

"*a door creaks open* Julie? Julie? You okay?"

"Frank? Frank what's going on?"

"SSH! Sally!"

"Hey, Julie--I know it's been days...It's bright and sunny out and you've been on your PJs for a week now! Do you think you need some exercise?"

*POV switches to a window*

"A-hem...So, anyway me and Sally are planning on another play and you did great as queen butterfly! and--and I think you make a great role as a good witch in Sally's...story..."

-----

"Franklin, Franklin! she's still isn't responding do something!"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know! try to cheer her up! Create a game or some sort!"

"Why would I create a game?"

"JUST MAKE ONE! THIS ROOM IS STARTING TO SMELL!"

*Sally leaves*

"Okay, Julie--and--*sniffs* UGH! What is that stench? Is that your portage? You haven't touched it? Julie, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??"

*silence*

"Julie? Julie? What's going here...Julie, tell me! I'm not leaving until you tell me WHAT IS WRONG."

POV shows Frank holding Julie's shoulders with a worried look.

"Go away..."

"WHAT."

"Go. Away..."

"Wh--"

"I said (loud) GO AWAY!!!!!!"

*STATIC*

Final image:

We click on a hidden empty link as click it--It shows an image of Julie Joyful with a deranged look, messed up hair with file name;

itshouldbloombynow.png

Welcome Home is owned by Clown Illustrations.

[ameagrice]

Capsize

chapter thirty | fine line

percy jackson x fem reader

There are silver streaks shared by Annabeth and Percy, scattered through their hair.

It’s something that will connect them forever, you know for certain. It’s a symbol of a shared strength.

It’s just one more thing to make your heart melt.

Realistically, you should feel nothing but proud of them both, and in your own way, you do. But there has been too much loss to feel any sort of good from the ending, and you can’t get Zoe Nightshade’s death from your mind.

“I can see the stars, my lady,” she whispered, so gently you’d barely heard her at all. The wound on her side gaped, and bled, the golden ichor of an immortal on her way out. An inch of a smile appeared on her face, struggling, before it dropped, and the light faded from Zoe Nightshade’s eyes. A wisp of silvery light lifted from her lips, drifting up into the air, before it, too, faded.

In the sky, the stars showed an image of a girl, running across the sky. Zoe Nightshade had, finally, found her peace.

Atlas was in his rightful place. His daughter had been stolen from the world. Luke Castellan was kicked to his death by Thalia’s action.

Except, they couldn’t find a body.

Body, upon body, upon body. They just kept piling up.

Bianca; Zoe; Luke. Lost lives; people who could have had so much more than they were given.

But Gods who couldn’t care any less.

And if you had to, you’d bet they didn’t even know their names.

You could see now, just why Luke was so angry. Because you felt it too. And it was terrifying.

“You don’t believe me about Luke,” Annabeth said, sounding faded amongst your thoughts. “We’ll see him again. He’s just under Kronos’s spell.”

Thalia jolted away, somehow seemingly unbothered by the height at which you travelled in the sky, Artemis in the lead. “There it is,” she pointed, sitting up. “It’s started.”

“What’s started?” Percy leaned forward, catching your hair between his hand on the seat he held onto. You didn’t say anything.

High above the Empire State Building, Olympus was its own island of light. A mountain ablaze with torches and braziers.

“The Winter Solstice,” she breathed. “The Council of the Gods.”

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn’t seem to exist here. The scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter filled your senses. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

You touched ground outside towering, silver gates, just inside the courtyard. Pegasi travel was rather terrifying, and you were much more than glad to be alive and on the ground. Olympus glowed with warm, the kind that settled in your bones. The warm wind, blowing from nowhere, shifted your hair when you clambered down to the ground.

“Yeah,” Percy muttered.

“Huh?”

Percy froze. “Uh—the horse. Sorry! Pegasi.”

A laugh escaped you, startling in the night. Thalia turned, eyebrow raised. “Why are you talking to a horse? It didn’t say anything.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Haven’t I told you?” He averted his gaze.

“What,” you landed your hand on your hip, waving the other to the pegasi. “You talk to animals now, too, like Grover?”

“Just sea creatures. And horses. Pegasi, sorry!”

“Yeah, you’ll really have to explain that later,” you trailed off. “We’ve got more important matters at hand.”

The Pegasi flew off, leaving yourself, Percy, Thalia and your sister together. You liked to think, years later, laying on the glass floor of a ship, that you were all trying to gather the courage after everything to step inside the giant building, and face gods you had once only ever heard about in stories.

Side-by-side, you walked into the throne room.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoë the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall. Under their judging eyes, despite your own mother being one of them, you were uncomfortable.

“Welcome, heroes,” Artemis said.

“Mooo!”

That was when you noticed Bessie and Grover, the latter standing at the side of a pool of water which Bessie swam in.

“Grover! You made it.”

He started to run towards your friends, then stopped, and looked back at Zeus, who up close, felt a lot scarier than he looked. You only realized then, that there was a major difference in terror of humans, and the intimidation of gods. You could deal with this kind.

“Go on,” Zeus nodded once. But he wasn’t looking at Grover—he was looking at Thalia.

None of the gods spoke. Grover’s hooves echoed on the marble floor, Bessie the Ophiotaurus mooing warmly at your arrival.

You took the time to observe the gods up close, because you might never get the chance to again. Artemis, looking as if she hadn’t ever even been hold hostage, watched the exchange between Percy and Grover. Percy’s father, Poseidon, dressed so casually you might have laughed in other circumstances, had this sort of barely-there smile on his face, bright eyes shining just the way Percy’s own did, too. Apollo, sunglasses covering his eyes, had his earbuds in, golden head of hair tilted back to the ceiling. And…

Ares. It was impossible to not feel him looking at you. Why the special interest, you wanted to ask. Do you see yourself in me? You wondered. Do I see myself in you?

Your eyes met his dark ones, a stark difference, between the extreme fatigue, and the colors. Your eyes burned with exhaustion and the tears you had shed since yesterday. He wore his signature black leather jacket, dark, dark hair being tousled by Aphrodite’s touch. When it was obvious her husband wasn’t looking at her, perched at his side, her love-ridden smile slowly fell away, and those sparkling eyes fell on you as well.

Or maybe it’s you, I see myself in. Too romantic. Too caught up in feelings. After all, you only had so much love to spare between friends, and the dead ones.

What do you see in me? You were desperate to ask, curiosity clawing at your chest. Why am I the way I am?

Gods sometimes took a special interest in heroes. All the tales told you so. You just had to wonder, what would come of this.

Ragged and bruised, you felt as though you were being picked apart under the watchful eyes of so many olympians.

You hadn’t realized Grover was doing the rounds until he yanked you into a hug. You found it in yourself to hug him back—at least he was still alive.

“Glad you made it,” you whispered.

“You too.” He nodded. Neither of you smelled amazing after this quest, but it went uncared for. A trouble shared is a trouble deeply understood.

“You have to convince them,” he said to the remaining four of you. “They can’t do it!”

“Do what?” You blinked.

“Heroes,” Artemis called. The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward your little group, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.

“The Council has been informed of your deeds,” Artemis spoke loudly, addressing everyone in a steady, clear tone. “They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas’s attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act.”

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the olympians, as if they weren’t all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.

“At my Lord Zeus’s command,” Artemis said, “my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans’ cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…”

She turned to face the other immortals.

And that, was the moment you saw your mother for the first time.

Dressed in a beautiful white dress, draped over one shoulder, her eyes, as gray as your own, as gray as Annabeth’s appeared lost in thought. You took the chance to just look at the woman you never thought you would meet.

“I gotta say—” Apollo cleared his throat. “These heroes did okay.” He began to recite. “Heroes win laurels—”

“Um, yes, first class,” Hermes interrupted with a side-eye in his brother’s direction. You were unable to help the smirk. “All in favor of not disintegrating them?”

A few tentative hands went up: Aphrodite, Demeter, Apollo—waving his iPod.

“Hang on a minute,” Ares growled, sitting up on his throne. He pointed at Thalia and Percy, on the other side of Annabeth. “These two are dangerous. It’d be much safer, while we’ve got them here—”

Don’t say anything, you begged yourself. Even Annabeth elbowed you.

“Ares,” Poseidon interrupted. “They are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits.”

“Nor my daughter,” grumbled Zeus. “She has done well.”

You leaned forward around your sister, who visibly shook, pale, in need of a lie down from the looks of things. Thalia blushed—you grinned wickedly. All the things you could do with this moment in the future.

Athena cleared her throat. Annabeth sighed. The goddess leaned forward. “I am proud of my daughters, as well. But I agree—there is a security issue with the other two.”

Annabeth elbowed you a little too late, this time.

“Mother!” You exclaimed.

Your heart dropped and splattered on the ground. Never had you addressed her as such. And never had she looked you in the face the way she did now.

Too late to back out, now.

“How can you just—”

Athena cut you off with a girl, but calm look. “It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods…such as Thalia and Percy…are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point.”

“Right!” Ares said. “Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin’—”

He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down.

“Oh, please, Ares,” Dionysus sighed. “Save the fighting for later.”

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. “You’re one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?”

Dionysus gazed wearily. “I have no love for them. Athena, do you really think it wise to destroy them?”

“I do not pass judgement,” she said. “I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide.”

“I will not have them punished,” Artemis cut in hotly. “I will have them rewarded. If we punish heroes who do us such a great favour, then we are no better than the titans, are we not? If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it.”

“Calm down, sis,” Apollo scoffed. “Chill. Jeez, you need to lighten up.”

“Don’t call me sis! I will reward them!”

“Well, perhaps. But the monster must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?”

“Bessie?” Percy burst out. “You want to destroy Bessie?”

Your heart swelled. Gosh, he cared. It was lovely.

And then you wanted to slap yourself.

What was up with the emotions lately?

Poseidon frowned. “You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?”

“Dad,” Percy said. “He’s just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can’t destroy him.”

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably, a trait Percy shared with him, you noted. “Percy, it’s power is considerable. If the titans were to steal it, or—”

“You can’t,” Percy insisted.

Zeus opened his mouth, looking as though he was getting antsier by the second. But you had experience with this sort of thing that needed a good negotiation, so you cut in.

“Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn’t that true?” You tried, stepping forward. All eyes landed on you, and you swallowed. “Have we not just experienced it? Are we not experiencing it now? The Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It’s as wrong as Kronos eating his children just because of something they might do.”

Zeus looked to be considering it. You breathed heavily, in a mild panic after consulting the king of the gods head on. If he wanted to, you could be zapped out of existence in less than a second.

“And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast’s entrails you would have the power to destroy all of us. Do you think we can let this possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says.”

“You have to trust them,” you tried, pleading with your eyes. “Please, you have to trust them.”

Zeus scowled. “Trust a hero?”

“She is right,” Artemis nodded slowly. “Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one, but first, father Zeus, I must speak with you privately.”

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward, leaning to listen as she whispered to him.

“Annabeth,” Percy whispered from behind you. “Don’t.”

“What?”

“Look, I need to tell you something. I couldn’t stand it if—I don’t want you to—”

Artemis turned. “I will have a new lieutenant, if she will accept it. Thalia, daughter of Zeus, will you join the Hunt?”

Your jaw almost dropped. Stunned silence filled the room.

“I will,” Thalia said firmly. She moved to your side, and then a little bit further ahead. Confident.

Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. “My daughter, consider well—”

Don’t let him change your mind, you prayed. Hold your ground.

“Father, I will not turn sixteen tomorrow,” she shook her head. “I will never turn sixteen. I won’t let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will not tempt me again.”

She knelt down before Artemis, and repeated the same words Bianca had uttered what felt like years ago at the cliff side in the snow and weary sunlight.

When she had finished, she hugged each of you and said a few words. You felt awkward, putting your hands into your coat pockets, when Thalia stood in front of you. For once, there was no spiteful comments from either one of you. She smiled small, looking rejuvenated the same way Bianca had, as if the quest had never happened.

“You’re a good friend,” she nodded. “You’re brave. You’ve got what it takes to help them with this prophecy.” And then she leaned in, and hugged you just as she had with Annabeth and Grover and Percy. “Trust yourself.”

Thalia went and stood with Artemis, and the atmosphere changed instantly.

“Now, for the Ophiotaurus.”

“The boy is still dangerous,” Mr. D. opposed. The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—”

“No.” Percy said firmly. “Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here. But you have to protect him.”

“And why should we trust you?”

“I’m only fourteen. If this prophecy is about me, that’s only two more years.”

“Two years for Kronos to deceive you,” Athena uttered. “Much can change in two years, young hero. It is only the truth. It is bad strategy to keep the boy alive. And the animal.”

Poseidon stood. “I will not have the creature destroyed if I can help it. And I can, help it.”

He held out his hand, and a spear shimmering with blue light appeared. “I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus.”

“You won’t take it under the sea!” Zeus stood suddenly. “I won’t have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession.”

“Brother, please,” Poseidon sighed.

Zeus’s lightening bolt appeared in his hand, and the whole room filled with the smell of ozone.

“Fine,” Poseidon nodded. “I will build an aquarium for the sea creature here, with the help of Hephaestus. The creature will be safe. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor.”

Zeus thought about it. “All in favor?”

A dozen hands went up, besides Mr. D, your mother’s, and Ares just sat looking bored.

“We have a majority. And so, since we are not destroying these heroes, I imagine we should reward them.”

—

There are parties, and then there are Olympian parties. And Olympian parties are filled with gold and beautiful colours, exotic flowers and the Muses music, braziers of fire, and delicious food and drinks. It became busy very quickly, and before you knew it, you found yourself stumbling into a corner to get yourself together. All you wished to do was go to your cabin and cry. To let it all out.

“This doesn’t look like you’re partying.”

“What the hell are you? A spy? Just leave me alone.” You shoved yourself further into the corner just away from all the partying, a quiet corridor devoid of anything but cold marble and tall, golden ceilings.

Ares hummed lowly. You didn’t have to see him, shoved into the corner like a child, but you knew he was just on the other side of it.

“I’ll let you off just this once, demigod.”

You rolled your eyes. The marble edges dug into your back uncomfortably from how hard you were trying to disappear for a few minutes. “What do you want? Spit it out.”

“If you weren’t her’s, I would say you’re one of mine. You’ve got the fire, I’ll give you that. And my wife has taken a special interest in you and that boy. Her business is my business, you’ll understand. Since you’re her business, now, you’re my business, too.”

You wanted to scream at him to leave, to go away so you could breathe for five minutes. But…you really wanted to know what he had to say. Curiosity always got the better of you.

“I don’t want to be anybody’s business,” you settled on, weakly. “I’m my own person.”

“Whatever, kid. I’m just here to pass along a message.”

“Which is?”

“She says, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.”

“Oh, really?”

You shoved away from the corner, and paused.

He’d already gone.

—

Making your way back into the crowd was the last thing you wanted to do, but it would be best to show your face for a little while. Eventually you made your way back to Percy. He smiled as you popped up next to him, and then slowly frowned. His green eyes glistened under all the lights.

“You’ve been crying,” he reached up, and then lowered his hand, unsure of what to do.

You laughed pitifully. “Yeah.”

Because, really, what more could you say? It was rather obvious. And you sounded as if you’d just developed the world’s worst cold and stuffy nose.

Percy still stared at you, concerned. It was touching, really.

“I’m just tired.” You nodded. “I promise. When we get back to camp you might not see me for a couple weeks. I’m about to fall off the face of the earth in sleep mode.”

He smiled, tight-lipped, those eyes dancing across your face. For the first time ever under Percy’s eyes, you felt self-conscious.

“I’ll clean up later. My dad always says I look like I’ve just done thirty rounds of coke after crying. It’s funny because it’s true,” you tried lightly.

Percy’s dark curls shook. “No,” he denied. “I think you look…I think you look pretty—uh—I mean—”

Your heart jumped into your throat, and suddenly it was difficult to breathe. Because AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

“Uhm—” you frantically tried for something to do; hair behind your ears, leaning back and forth on your heels. “Thank you. Thanks.” Heat flooded your cheeks. Percy was already scarlet in the face, nodding frantically, avoiding your eyes.

When you looked up, Athena watched from a distance, and then looked away, as if she hadn’t been interested at all. But you weren’t about to let her ruin what just happened—Percy called you pretty.

“I was thinking,” he shoved out. You turned your head, blinking expectantly. “I owe you a dance, don’t I? We got interrupted at Westover Hall, right?”

This time, you allowed yourself to smile, your heart and lungs expanding.

“Right.” You took his hand, shaking.

The music played on, a gentle tune of the future, the past, and the present.

—

Chiron greeted you all at the Big House with hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwiches. Grover went off to his satyr friends, telling them all about his brief experience with Pan.

Annabeth, Percy and yourself sat with Chiron by the fire. A couple of others joined you, too—Clarisse, back from a quest of her own it seemed. Her hair was cut short, like somebody had hacked it with scissors without a care, and there was a jagged scar on her chin. For once, she kept quiet.

“I got news,” she said glumly. “Bad news.”

“I’ll fill you in later,” Chiron said with forced cheerfulness. “The important thing is you’ve prevailed. And you’ve saved Annabeth!”

The Stoll brothers were there, too. You hadn’t even looked Travis in the eye. The high of the short dance with Percy had worn off, that tiny spark of normality had gone, and left you with the sadness you’d been feeling before it. You struggled with getting Bianca and Zoe’s deaths from the front of your mind, and Thalia’s moving on. Everybody was leaving, it felt like. And everybody was too happy for what had happened along the way.

Percy, sitting next to you in front of the fire, felt the same. You could tell by the sheer look of something bordering on a deep sadness he had.

You didn’t speak.

Annabeth talked about Atlas, and where she had been kept. She yawned the whole way through, still shaking with weakness even after some ambrosia.

Chiron’s positivity spread a little bit to you tired campers, but in the end, the unwavering need to go somewhere and cry won. You set down your mug of hot chocolate, and walked away. Another chair scratched the floor behind you, as you walked away toward the fields.

“Let her be,” you heard Chiron utter. “She needs time.”

You heard happy babbling just as you wandered away, boyish, childish talking. You looked to the left, and there was Nico di Angelo, two figurines in hands, talking to himself the way children tend to do. Every organ in your body twisted painfully, and you got away before he could see you. You couldn’t be the one to tell him Bianca was long gone. You still didn’t want to believe it yourself.

The air was bitter cold, your fingertips numb already. Snow fell lightly as you wandered into where you probably shouldn’t have been. You didn’t get far until his voice caught you up.

“Scout?”

You stopped, the snow crunching quietly. Behind you, Travis grew closer until he was right in front of you. You hadn’t even realized how tall he’d gotten until you saw him again, like seeing him in a different light.

Bundled in a red sweater and jeans, a coat and scarf atop of that, he still shivered.

“I just need to go for a walk. I’ll be alright later.” You shrugged.

Silence captured the air. Until he said, “Chiron…mentioned what happened to Nico’s sister. And the Hunter girl. Zoe. I’m—I’m so sorry.”

The first tear fell without any effort. And then you grew too cold too quickly. And crumbled.

He enveloped you instantly, as if without thought—like the action would be unknown, to hesitate in your arms. Against his warm, soft chest, Travis’s heart beat gently against your ear, his hands coming up carefully to your back, to your shoulder.

Safety.

And at the end of it—Travis.

You allowed yourself the tears. Your hands scrunched at his shirt. He smelled of the outside weather, of wind

of life.

—

PAIN. So, we’ve reached the end of Titans Curse! How are we feeling so far about relationships and eve thing? Feedback is always appreciated!

taglist: @bl6o6dy @embersparklz @lilyevanswhore @rottenstyx @rory-cakes @i-am-scared-and-useless-bisexual @marshmallow12435 @lantsovheiress @distinguishedmakerpandapatrol @twsssmlmaa @gayandfairycore @padsfirewhisky @emu281 @charlesswife @jessiegerl @crackerphobic20 @mata0-0mata @jccc1000 @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @nothankyou138 @i-love-books-and-the-bible @obxstiles

if they’re not highlighted, it wouldn’t let me tag you!

this chapter’s quite short. I didn’t want to drag it out too much.

aaaaand I’ve added a few more songs to the playlist (on my profile if you don’t have it saved!) if you want to give them a listen. thanks for reading!

[fabricated-misslieness]

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: tyler owens x cowboy male reader

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: there's a new cowboy at the rodeo tyler used to ride for, and tyler's itching to get to know him.

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 4.06k

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: plenty swearing, implied death in an acted play

ᴍᴀʏʙ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: cowboy slang vocabulary

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Rodeos are basically a second home for the famous Tornado Wrangler, Tyler Owens. This particular one he visits as often as he can, on weekend evenings to watch the show he used to ride for.

Sometimes, he misses it. He misses the blinding lights that make him forget he's in a glorified pit rather than a stage, and the whistling cheers and claps as he's fighting for his life on the back of a bull; most of all, he misses seeing his cowboy friends damn near every day for practice, especially the old rats that twister-signals him every time they spot each other.

Speaking of, he always tries to waive the fee for his ticket, and when he's too stubborn to accept, they bump down the $15 dollar price to a $3. Not that he ever agrees to that, either. He wants to support them.

All that history means he can always tell when they hire a new cowboy for the show, and this one, well, whew. Isn't he a looker?

Probably, anyway. The cowboy poncho's doing nothin' for his figure, and he's got his scarf up over his nose like the less pleasurable corona's still going around, but he's always had a little thing for cowboys with rat tails and hats over their eyes. Silly little things they are to want to act a mystery–fellers'll often get exposed one way or another–but there's just something about you that lassoes him in.

When Liam sees him walking over after the show, a purposeful look in his eye, he has to ask if he's coming back. "You finally quittin' your storm chaser business, cowpoke? We're startin' to miss ya."

"No, not today. Maybe when I'm forty." Tyler indulges him with a far off idea, like he always does to make small talk, but today he just can't wait to get to the point. "Who's the tenderfoot?"

"Oh, (Y/N)?" Liam chuckles, like a pleasant memory already brightens his mind just from the name. "He's good, ain't he?"

"Yeah, y'all train 'em for three months beforehand." Tyler brushes it off. He was good, but that wasn't the point, and–

"He's a total Bronc Buster, actually."

"Yeah, yeah," He dismisses it once more. "why the scarf? And the hat over his eyes?"

"We're starting a new thing next week." Liam strikes him with that famous excited grin of his, the one that often makes you forget how stern he can get, "Theatre plays on horseback."

"Plays on horseback–?"

"Yeah!" He replies with a nod like it's nothing. "Well, it's just regular plays without a stage, proper backdrops or a light crew," He lists off, then realizes just how depressive that must sound, "and real horses."

"Yeah, that's great, Liam, but why does that matter, exactly?" Tyler still had that one objective in mind, and that's finding out the mystery behind the newest cowboy on horseback.

"He's playin' the villain, of course. Gotta tease the man before we premier the show, builds up the anticipation, obviously."

"Right, right..." Though he trails off, he tries to act as though he knew the obvious marketing strategy, because obviously you put a man in a poncho and obstruct his vision so he looks like a good villain—that aside, he can't deny it worked.

"Look, dabster," Liam's the one waving him off this time, "he'll do fine, we'll do fine! We've rehearsed a lot, and we're sure it's a good idea."

"Uh-huh?"

"Just make sure to come on Friday rather than the weekend." Liam digs his finger into Tyler's chest, looking him in the eye so the man knows he's serious. "I mean it. We're only airing this thing on Fridays, it's long as all hell, Ty."

"How long?" Tyler deadpans.

"Pfft." Liam waves it off, "Long. Like Broadway up north. Lotta acting, intermission to push our food sales, then more acting. Climax, boom, tears and victory."

"Y'know the famous ones like Hamilton run for under three hours, right?" Tyler raises a brow. "Like a movie?"

"Like they say, you can't rush art, Tyler." Liam pats Tyler's shoulder twice reassuringly before he's pushing past and calling out his goodbyes with a yell. He had to leave with a one-liner, huh?

The buckaroo's just yammering, Tyler thinks to himself as he watches his old friend walk off. He only notices that he didn't get to ask for the new guy's number when his faraway figure gets to the size of a bean.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Flee, Danika, flee!" You shout to your horse as you barrel dive into cover. She does as promised, fleeing just far enough away that she'll hear your whistle once you've dealt with these bad, bad men.

With your back pressed against a rock and bullets just wooshin' past, you let the empty shells fall from your chamber to the ground and replace them. One by one, pressure's on, your fingers twitch, but they don't hesitate.

You'll get out of here alive, you always do.

You heave a breath, then another, a steady stream of inhales n' exhales, you're calming your heartbeat and will shoot with its rhythm.

Three, two...

Leaning over the edge of the rock, you aim.

Three, two, one.

Three men gone, off their horses and thudding against the harsh, hard ground, but there's more, ridin' in from the east and already prepping their aim. You scramble to get off your ass and into proper cover, the hay shed will do.

There's sweat over your face, it's making your scarf stick. You can't think about taking it off now, lest any of those boys make it out alive and see your face.

As the beat of the hooves comes to a stop, you peak 'round the open side of the shed and shoot.

Three, two, click, click, click.

Gods be damned, you've run out of bullets. You rush to flick open the chamber and empty the shells to replace them; the process is as natural as breathing to you, but not quite as fast.

A man rounds the corner, and you instinctively whip your revolver at his head to result in a crack that sounds all too real.

As the man thuds behind you, you peek around the corner with fresh bullets.

"We'll get you, you sonuvah gun!" The last of the reinforces is a coward, or a scout, as he's now ridin' away on his horse, but he's too gracious a host to consider leaving you without a parting gift.

The bullet that was meant for his head gets the dynamite that's gliding its way towards you, catching it mid air and detonating it early, before it gets you.

The force of the faroff explosion nearly knocks your hat off your head and your ass to the ground, if you hadn't already been there.

"Lord almighty..." You let your revolver fall to the ground harmlessly–which bounces off a little more than it's really meant to–and sigh.

The hat comes off, then the scarf, and you breathe, breathe, breathe.

You're alive, and you've got more enemies. Oh, who cares? What's a few more names to the list?

☾⋆☆⋆☽

As the crowd finally sees the villain's face for the first time, people whistle and ooh at the him.

Tyler's gut feeling was right: he is a looker.

That aside, the storm chaser had to admit, old Liam was onto something, even with the noticeably fake props. The only thing he's wondering is why it's been one hour and the regular rodeo show is resuming as usual. It's not intermission, cause they're not pushing food marketing as Liam said they would.

He doesn't have to ponder very long as he meets up with his old friend again.

"I took your advice to heart, actually. I knew the ol' star would be exhausted after all of it, so I thought we'd split it over a month, and play the same section all weekend. More ticket sales."

Tyler raised a brow at the mention of the protagonist, "Ol' star? He had one scene."

"Not him," Liam says it like he should know, like they're both back in front of the drawing board again, "(Y/N)."

"The villain's the star?" Tyler deadpans.

Liam chuckles in turn, "Didn't you hear the crowd when we finally revealed his face?"

"Oh." Tyler shakes his head, "Well, ain't he dyin' later? Stars don't die."

"Ehhh..." Liam waves his hand and shakes his head side to side in a kind of gesture. "It's implied."

"It's implied?"

"Endings are best left up to interpretation!" The man flourishes with a grand gesture, heaving more energy around than Tyler's used to seeing from him. This thing must really be a passion project. "Don't ruin it, for me, son."

Tyler raises both his hands in surrender at that. "You won't see nothin' from me, old man."

Tyler lets him walk off this time, he deserves that much; only then does he realize that he hasn't got the new guy's number. Again.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Negotiations? I don't do negotiations." You're huddled behind cover, hidden from view as you talk with the alleged big huncho of the mining camp. He brought reinforcement, nothing you can't handle, but it could still spell trouble.

"I like to look at a man when I'm talkin' to him."

You scoff. "Like hell I'll peek. You'll blow my head clean off if I try."

"I'm a man of my word." He insists, his deep jazzy voice just screaming a man of wealth and contracts.

"And so am I, but you wouldn't trust that." Idly, you check the chamber of your revolver, having learned from your mistakes. Six bullets, not shells, ready to be fired.

"Touché, good sir."

"Good sir?"

"As I understand it," The man says, his voice is strong to reach your ears but it ain't threatening, "you just want a cut of my money."

"And if I do?" You click the chamber back in place, listening for out of place sounds like footsteps.

"I'm willing to pay." Oh, that haughty bastard really thinks he's gonna get you with that?

"Like hell you are." You laugh, a loud thing so you make sure he hears that you're not gullible.

As the big man begins to speak again, surely more lies that are meant to coerce you into taking the bait, you throw a stray wood chip up into the air.

Bang!

The split second after it sees the light of day, the wood chip is shot to splinters, right as you'd expected.

"I think negotiations are over, sir..?"

"Cornwall." The man sighs out his name. "Good day to you, sir."

"Good day, sir Cornwall."

☾⋆☆⋆☽

As he often finds himself doing nowadays, Tyler goes around searching for Liam to talk about a particular someone. Little does he know that where he usually finds his old friend, he'll finds someone else.

"Excuse me," He begins politely, not recognizing the man from behind. "have you seen Liam?"

When you turn around to reply instead of another cowboy he might know, his little stunned gaze makes your words take on a confused tone. "He's playing his part in the pit..?"

"Oh." Tyler has barely any time to register that Liam's actually taking part in the acting biz before he's scrambling to greet you properly. "You're (Y/N), right? The new guy?"

"That's me." You nod your head and take a sip from your bottle. In a couple minutes you'll be back in the show again, so you're making the most of your small break. "And you?"

"Um, Tyler. Tyler Owens. Does Liam not talk about me?"

As the star of the million-follower YouTube channel Tornado Wranglers, Tyler thinks he's kind of a big deal around Oklahoma, especially around here as he used to ride for the local rodeo. He's usually not an arrogant guy, unless he decides to play it up for the competition, but...he finds that his ego is a little bruised now.

"I'm just playin' with you, poppet. Liam never stops singing his praises 'bout you." You offer your hand for a shake, a well placed gesture if you hadn't just called him poppet.

Tyler flushes a little, because, well, poppet's quite an endearing term and you're hot and there's something about men that are sweaty and out of breath. He manages to shake your hand without making a fool of himself anyway. "What does Liam say about me?"

"He said that you've taken a million kicks from bulls and you still managed to go an get yourself a fancy degree, that you're tough as nails and can always tell when he slips you belly wash." You list off a couple of less than good things about him in detail so excrutiating that Tyler knows Liam's said them time and time again. "Oh, and that you always rode pretty well."

Tyler comes out of it a little embarrassed, and his voice therefore comes out meek, like he hasn't spoken for a while. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." You laugh and pat his shoulder. "You know how Liam is, he'll point out how you're a hill of beans and then praise ya."

His shoulders deflate with relief and he laughs along with you. "Yeah, I know 'im."

"Truth be told, it's kinda nice to hear about the real man as opposed to the Tornado Cowboy persona." You say it kind of sheepishly, which is rather nice to see when he's only ever had a cocky you to compare to.

Plus, you'd just admitted that you watch his videos, making his grin widen. "You a fan?"

"Don't get too full o' yourself, cowboy." You point a finger at him, huffing a laugh. "I see you in the stands every week."

He could just say it's because this play is an ongoing thing with a new sorta 'episode' each week, which is the truth, or he could flirt along. "You caught me," He hisses like it's a big deal and it's embarrassing to be caught. "I am your biggest fan."

"You like anti-heroes, do ya?" You chuckle, narrowing your eyes at him.

"I'm as gullible as everyone else, darlin'. I'll like any villain so long as they're hot n' ride good." He sends a wink over, because there ain't no subtlety when there's a crowd just a ways away you've gotta shout over.

You wolf-whistle in turn, "Is that so, poppet?"

"I'm being simon-pure." He insists, tipping his hat for extra measure.

This is going well for Tyler, you're responsive to his flirting and you can match it too. Unfortunately, good things always have to come to an end.

"Listen, Tyler," You indulge him with a laugh but unfortunately point towards the stage. "I don't wanna miss my cue, so I've got to...well, you know. What I'm saying is..."

"Wanna grab a root later?" Tyler takes the opportunity to ask first, eagerly at that.

"Yeah," You smile, grateful that he took the opportunity. "yeah, uh, want my number?"

It's the fourth week in a row Tyler watches another figure walk off on a Friday evening, but this time he's got his prize secured, and he's left more hopeful than regretful.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

These stubborn miners are just setting up more and more defenses, to the point where you're pondering what marks the difference between a mining camp and a Pinkerton camp. Is it gun count or armed miner count?

You settle into prone on a ridge overlooking the camp to make your figure less noticeable amidst the bright sky–earning you a couple strange bird caws from onlooking eagles–and scout out with your binoculars.

"Tall fences," You begin to mutter under your breath. "sniper outposts on the roof, a guard at the wagon rail, no, two; several on each little path in and out."

And...is that a Gatling gun? "Ugh, seriously?"

"What is it, my darling?" Your sweetheart calls from behind you. Before you can answer, she's rolling you over onto your back and settling half on your lap. The geese in V-formation above caw louder.

"Nothing to worry your pretty little head about." You assure, a nice smile on your face as you steady the gal.

You couldn't worry her, no, you're doing this all for her, after all. It's not her fault her daddy got their family into a deep, six foot grave kind of debt before the man got himself killed in a fishing trip gone wrong, after all.

"There is always somethin' to worry over." She giggles, hands trailing over your chest, pulling your attention away for the moment.

"I know, poppet, but–"

"You're worryin' right now." She points out, drawing circles over your heart with her pointer.

You sigh, "I know."

"Let me take your handsome lil' mind off it, can I?"

She's already leaning down before you can even say no.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

As soon as you start kissing up that pretty girl in that pit you take for a stage, Tyler looks down at his phone. He taps the screen impatiently, almost as if you'll answer him right now while you're up there, all busy.

Hey, it's Tyler. It was nice meeting you.

How does six at the Hay Shed sound?

"He ghosted me." Tyler groans. It's covered up by the sound of the ooh-ing crowd, but he doesn't much care if it's heard or not. "Seriously, I find a man as fine as cream gravy, and he ghosts me?"

It was too good to be true. You're hot, you called him poppet, and you were receptive to his flirting; too good to be true.

...

"Liam, hey! Can I borrow a horse?"

Nothing's better for clearing the mind than a good horse ride right before sunset, it's like long walks at the beach. Tyler often found that it was also great for dealing with break ups or, in this situation, not even making it to the talking stage.

He doesn't check his phone, doesn't even realize it's vibrating in place with it in the saddle bag. Instead, his eyes are straight ahead.

He's riding towards the sunset like it's the end of a movie, and what a poor, short movie it is.

It's fine. It's fine, it really is. It's not like he was already mashed, anyway, no sir! He's just disappointed. It's a big cavernous feeling in his chest like it's empty, when it's really filled with something none too good.

"Ah," Tyler sighs out, hopefully exhaling all them feelings. He pats the horse, watches its ears twitch as he talks. "You understand me, big guy?"

He's too caught up in feeling sorry for himself to hear someone else riding up beside him.

"Perfect spot for a first date, huh?"

"Holy shit, what the fuck?" Tyler damn near falls off his horse. He has to hold onto the reigns with white knuckles in order not to.

"You done airin' your lungs, poppet?" You only grin in return, pointing out your shirt pocket, at your phone. "I shot you a text."

Tyler huddles closer to his horse's neck. Though he's still heaving recovering breaths, he finds the sass to say, "About a week late."

"Yeah, 'm sorry about that." You rub the back of your neck, your smile melting with shame. "I'm kind of a busy man."

"Oh, yeah?" He shoots back with furrowed brows and a scowl.

"Yeah, I totally deserve that." You bow your head a little, "It's just, I work the show all weekend, and I was so exhausted comin' back in on Tuesday that it totally slipped my mind."

Oh.

"Let me make it up to you?" You ask hopefully, looking at him with those sheep's eyes, and it makes him feel a little guilty.

"I'm sorry." Tyler says quickly, straightening up and all and mirroring your apologetic look.

"No, no, it's totally fine!"

"I mean, I totally didn't realize–"

So there you both are, spewing excuses to be sorry for each other, guilt eating away at you like worms do a book. There seems to be no end to it. Your pseudo-argument stretches as far as the horizon, up until the sun sets below it.

"Seriously, let me make it up to you." Before he can even reply, you continue. "You said the Hay Shed, yeah? I'll buy our dinner, no big deal."

"I–" Tyler starts up, but you shoot him a pointed look, quieting him down. "Okay."

"Okay, good." That nice, charming smile of yours builds up again, and he almost swoons.

"Race you?" He smiles back, tipping his head forward.

You're already shifting into proper form. "Oh, you're on, cowboy."

☾⋆☆⋆☽

You're sitting in your porch in that old rocking chair of yours, your white hair sweeping off your forehead as an easy breeze blows past. Your fingers tap to the rhythm of your boy playing the guitar and his mother singing along. Ranch life has treated both you and Danika well. The old girl gets to snack on sugar cubes every day while you got to lock your revolvers away and sip on fine liquor every night after dinner.

It's been a good life, you think as you watch the sun set. Your sins are long behind you.

...this isn't how you planned to die.

No, not in this damn cave away from your girl, slowly choking on fumes, trapped in by a cave in.

Somewhere, distantly, you can hear that good for nothing hero laughing like old Saint Nick himself, shouting to the world his victory.

It's not even his, you think stubbornly, because you won't give him the victory of thinking your death is his to brag about, it's this damned fire and these damned rocks.

You were so, so close. You've killed dozens of men just to get in this gods-damned gold mine and steal a couple nuggets for your girl, and you almost made it out.

This is how you'll die, all alone here choked by a fire.

Oh hells. If you're going to die you might as well die by the hands of a man who's actually worthy of the kill.

Shakily, you lift your hand.

This world was shit. Hope the next is greener.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Ah, oh god, fuck off!" Tyler shouts, and despite all that fight to shove your lips off his chin and his face, he's laughing.

"What, am I not pretty enough for ya, darlin'?" You pull him closer with warm–noticeably not scalding–hands at his waist, puckering your lips playfully at him.

There's black makeup, soot, over your face: on your cheeks, 'round your eyes, on your forehead, everywhere.

"Go boil your shirt!" With one shove, he pushes you so hard you fall into your vanity chair. The flimsy old thing rocks from side to side before settling back down with your weight on it.

You roll your eyes, picking up a makeup wipe once stabilized to begin cleaning yourself off. "If you didn't like me, you just had to say so."

"Don't be like that." Before you can answer, he's turning your chair and sitting on your lap, though when you try to kiss him, he pushes you away again. "You're not done yet, cowpoke."

You huff and whine, and you'd kick your feet if you could, like it's the worst shame in the world.

"Don't pitch a fit at me." He points a finger at you and you laugh in turn.

"No, of course not, darling."

Tyler waits patiently as you wipe the makeup off, realizing as he does that he's been through worse shit: the biggest tornadoes, the harshest thunder storms, and the stickiest mud. Although to be fair, he hasn't had mud that transfers as easily as this cheap makeup does on his face before.

"That good enough?" He shakes his head, prompting you to huff and wipe your face again. "Now?"

It's still not good enough for him. Fortunately, he snatches up the wipe and passes it over your face himself. It feels as rough as a cat's tongue or your dad hosing you down after you tracked mud around the house, and you're fixing to speak your mind about it.

"There you are." Tyler's face emerges from behind the wipe, a wide, teasing smile on his face that tells you he was wiping you off longer than he needed to. "Apple-pie order."

His lips are on yours right after that, drowning you with a toad strangler of love. Your complaints die out right on your tongue, because how could you ever be mad at him?

Answer is: you can't.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

ɴᴏᴛᴇ: i watched this movie in spanish so i don't know what tyler's cowboy nickname is in english and i've also forgotten some details in the movie (ex: if it was mentioned that scott and javi are ex-boyfriends, i literally did not notice until i read the wiki)

[perlen-gold]

Get to know your Mutuals

Hiiii 💞 since I've found so many new lovely mutuals here I've created a little tag game (which as been around for ages) ^///^

This kinda got out of control... uh-oh.

Indulge me, will you? 🤗

What's the origin of your blog's title? It's a quote by Oscar Wilde :D

Favorite Fandoms: Dragon Age, The Silmarillion/The Lord of the Rings,

OTP(s) + shipname: Fenrisxm!Hawke (fenhawke) Melkor x Mairon (angbang) Thor x Loki (thorki)

Favorite color: Purple, purple and purple!

Favorite game: Dragon Age and Fatal Frame x3

Song stuck in your head: Elrond's council (but it's a musical) XDDD by Elf Tale Films on Youtube 😆

Weirdest habit/trait? Oh gosh, I'm made out of NOTHING but weird traits... but I guess the weirdest is that I must correct every spelling/grammar mistake I hear/read in both English and German? (I happen to write maaany typos on my phone so that's really exhausting!) Or that I explain maths even to the most reluctant and math-hating people without their permission and despite their explicit orders to "stop right now!!!"?! Or that I run in gallopping archs like a (crazy) horse around my apartment when writing? Or.... 😭

Hobbies: Writing, belly dancing and playing the violin. Very inexpertly so.

If you work, what's your profession? I wanted to become a professional torturer but my parents said no, so I chose the next best thing and became a teacher.

If you could have any job you wish what would it be? A teacher. (I'm pathetic.) I'd teach Math, English and German literature. (Which I do.) And physics. (Which I don't.)

So sad. Also, living the dreeeeam!!! 🎸🎸🎸

Something you're good at: Losing at MarioKart, being notoriously unpunctual and math. Also, I can read really fast xP

Something you're bad at: Remembering things... or names... or appointments... or anything. Also, sharing or talking about my writing.

Something you excel at: Creating chaos and overworry about my writing. Or anything else, really. Also, I'm a REALLY fast reader! 😜🤪😝

Something you love: Literature, books, my students, my family, my cat, and books and literature! 📚💗

Something you could talk about for hours without off the cuff: Literature/books, Dragon Age, my students, my original novel (with many pauses inbetween since, like I said, I'm also bad at talking about my own writing)

Something you hate: Arrogancy, bullying and olives. Oh, and strawberries.

Something you collect: Books and blunders.

Something you forget: Everything. Except my own name. At least I hope so.

What's your love language? Terrible, ironic, biting sarcasm. And movie/literature quotes.

Favorite movie/show: Alien by Ridley Scott <3

Favorite food: Pizza, ramen and pasta of all kinds x3

Favorite animal: Horses and leopards, roarrr! 🐎🐆

Are you musical? I do play the violin and sing. Having said that, I should add that I'm not very musical, after all...

What were you like as a child? Both shy and bold AND an insufferable know-it-all! 😏

Favorite subject at school? Maths <3 (you may hate me, now)

Least favorite subject? Geography, religious education and PE

What's your best character trait? Er, I'm a good friend in need (at least I think so XD)

What's your worst character trait? Perfectionism??? Oh wait, I think I can express this in a more refined way, let me try that again...

If you could change any detail of your day right now what would it be? If I'd be in charge, you'd be all fucking freezing to death while I frolick happily in the snow and bring another brain concussion upon myself by my clumsy ice-skating skills! Winter would be SO fucking cold and SO magnificent you'd all hate me for it!!! ❄️☃️🥶

If you could travel in time who would you like to meet? Wolfgang Goethe (yes, I omitted the "von", in your face, dude!) and Agatha Christie x3

Recommend one of your favorite fanfics (spread the love!):

In Absentia by AwkwardAnnie (Angbang)

Lunch in Thedas by Kaerwrites (Fenhawke)

Kiss Me Hard Before You Go by TheAngryKimchi (Thorki)

Last but not least, show your favorite fanart of your favorite character(s) (please remember to credit/add links!):

(sorry for the flood!)

Mairon by Krabat

Melkor and Mairon by Krabat

Fenris by raviollies

Fenhawke by Marikdraw (original link does no longer exist ;_;)

✨Tagging @saintstars @gracefallingart @gauntletgirlie @melkor-did-nothing-wrong @sauron-kraut @althanair @privatebooth @just-an-elf-with-the-socks @trash-ainu @winds-of-zephyr416 @barbex @aidanthecryptid @teine-mallaichte @pinkfadespirit @spicywarl0ck @jiangwanyeehaw @booksinwinter @midnottart @maironscrotchlessbreeches @melkorwashere @melkors-defense-attorney @trash-ainuand @elronds-library @teine-mallaichte @thorkidorki @theangrykimchi and @glowing-blue-feathermage ✨

... and everyone else, of course, who feels like playing ❣️

As always, NO PRESSURE, just fun, my friends! <3